Bengaluru, October 19 (IANS). Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) challenged the order of the Tehsildar of Chittapur in the High Court. The Tehsildar did not give permission to the RSS to take out its Shatabdi procession in Chittapur city. RSS gave this challenge in the Kalaburagi bench of the Supreme Court. The centenary march was scheduled for Sunday, but even before that, the authorities removed saffron flags, saffron flags, banners and buntings in Chittapur. This development has aroused great interest and now all eyes are on the court’s decision. BJP leaders are hopeful that the court will give permission for the march. Chittapur constituency is represented by Rural Development, Information Technology and Biodiversity Minister Priyank Kharge. Following his letter, the state government issued an order making it mandatory for private organizations to take prior permission from the authorities to organize programs at public places. The Tehsildar refused permission for the RSS march citing possible law and order problems. However, the RSS challenged this decision in court and argued that its right to take out the march cannot be denied. Tehsildar Nagayya Hiremath said that a report has been sought from the police sub-inspector of Chittapur police station. The police report mentions that Bhim Army has also submitted a letter seeking permission to take out the procession on the same route. Intelligence also revealed that the RSS foot march was deliberately organized in response to the arrest of an RSS worker for allegedly threatening Minister Priyank Kharge. Additionally, activists of the Bharatiya Dalit Panthers Party handed over a letter seeking permission to hold a protest rally on the same route. Meanwhile, members of the Bhim Army held a press conference and announced that they would take out a protest march on October 20. He said if the RSS, Bhim Army and Indian Dalit Panthers take out a march on Sunday, it could lead to serious law and order problems, including possible clashes between the groups. Therefore permission for the march was refused. The Tehsildar said, “In view of the possibility of law and order disturbance in Chittapur city, the foot march of the RSS is not allowed and its petition in this regard is also rejected.” After deciding to make it mandatory for private organizations to seek permission from the government for organizing events, the Congress-led government issued orders regarding the use of government properties and premises by private organizations, associations or groups. The move follows a letter by Rural Development, IT and Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge banning RSS activities in public places. This order was issued on Saturday by the department of home affairs (law and order) under secretary S. Released by Nagaraju. “If any person or persons, organization, association or group of persons or any other person-agency on their behalf, organizes any program or procession on government property in violation of this government order, such program or procession will be considered illegal,” the order reads. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalvadi Narayanaswami, objected to not allowing the RSS march in Chittapur and removing flags and banners. He termed it as arbitrariness of the local administration and misconduct of Minister Priyank Kharge. On the suspension of a BOB in connection with the RSS march, he said, “RSS is not a political party, it is an organization like any other public association. Anyone can participate in it. There is also an order from the Central Government.” –IANS AX/AS
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