Kalaburagi: A fresh political storm has erupted in Chittapur after municipal authorities, under heavy police security, removed Bhagwadhwajas, buntings, and cutouts put up by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers for a planned route march scheduled on Sunday. The late-night removal, reportedly carried out without prior notice, has drawn sharp condemnation from BJP leaders and pro-Hindu organisations, who accused the Congress government of suppressing Hindu voices and showing political bias under the influence of Minister Priyank Kharge.
According to sources, the Chittapur Town Municipality carried out the operation late night on October 17 following instructions from senior officials. Workers were deployed to take down saffron flags, banners, and hoardings installed across main streets, citing lack of official permission. The move came after the Tahsildar’s letter to the police department requested a report on the application seeking permission for the procession, implying that formal approval was still pending.
However, BJP leaders and RSS supporters allege that the event was approved and all relevant taxes had been paid. As soon as the removal began, BJP workers rushed to the Lodging Cross area, raising slogans against the Congress government and accusing officials of acting under political pressure. The situation remained tense as police deployed additional forces to prevent any untoward incident.
Priyank Kharge under fire
The controversy assumes greater political significance as Chittapur is the home constituency of IT-BT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge, who recently wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging a ban on RSS activities within government institutions. BJP leaders allege that the latest order to remove RSS flags and banners is a direct fallout of Priyank’s letter and reflects his “anti-Hindu mindset.”
Opposition leader R. Ashoka was among the first to condemn the move, calling it an “attack on democracy and Hindu faith.” Taking to social media, Ashoka lashed out, saying, “Is Chittapur part of India or the private republic of the Kharge family? Even after paying advertisement tax and obtaining municipal permission, RSS banners were removed under the guise of law and order.”
ಚಿತ್ತಾಪುರ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿದೆಯೋ ಅಥವಾ ಖರ್ಗೆ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ರಿಪಬ್ಲಿಕ್ ಆಗಿದೆಯೋ?
✅ಆರ್ ಎಸ್ಎಸ್ ಪಥಸಂಚಲನಕ್ಕೆ ಪುರಸಭೆಯಿಂದ ಅನುಮತಿ ಪತ್ರ ಪಡೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ.
✅ಬ್ಯಾನರ್, ಧ್ವಜ ಕಟ್ಟಲು ಪುರಸಭೆಗೆ ಜಾಹೀರಾತು ತೆರಿಗೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿ ರಸೀದಿ ಪಡೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ
❌ಇಷ್ಟಾದರೂ ರಾತ್ರೋ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಕೇಸರಿ ಬ್ಯಾನರ್, ಧ್ವಜಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರವುಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದೀರಲ್ಲ ಸಚಿವ… pic.twitter.com/bGu7ExHSl2
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) October 18, 2025
In a scathing post, he accused Priyank Kharge of behaving like the “Nizam or a Razakar” of Chittapur, warning that the “emergency-style politics” of the Congress would not last long. “Don’t dream that defaming the RSS will please the fake Gandhis in Delhi. The people of Chittapur will give a befitting reply,” Ashoka added.
State BJP President BY Vijayendra also launched a blistering attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, alleging misuse of administrative machinery to target ideological opponents. “Minister Priyank Kharge has continued his politics of hatred by interfering in a peaceful RSS event meant to celebrate the centenary of the organisation,” Vijayendra said in a post on X.
He further added, “The act of removing saffron flags and banners that were erected with official permission is a mockery of democracy. This vindictive attempt to suppress the RSS centenary celebrations is highly condemnable.”
ಚಿತ್ತಾಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಳೇಗಾರಿಕೆ ರಾಜಕಾರಣ ಅಟ್ಟಹಾಸ ಮೆರೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ, ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಹಾಗೂ ವಾಕ್ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯವನ್ನು ದಮನ ಮಾಡಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. @RSSorg ಶತಮಾನ ಪೂರೈಸಿದ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ ಆಚರಿಸಲು ಸಂಘ ಹಾಗೂ ಹಿಂದೂ ಪರ ಸಂಘಟನೆಗಳು ನಿಯಮಾನುಸಾರ ಅನುಮತಿ ಪಡೆದು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿದ್ದ ಸಂಘದ ಪಥಸಂಚಲನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಮೇಲೆ… pic.twitter.com/jmsosaak5Q
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) October 18, 2025
Vijayendra vowed that the BJP would fight this “authoritarian move” both politically and legally, saying, “The Congress government in Karnataka is behaving as if Chittapur is an independent republic controlled by one family. We will resist this assault on democratic freedom and protect the dignity of the Constitution.”
The removal of saffron flags has triggered widespread resentment among Hindu organisations in the region. Leaders of the RSS and Bajrang Dal accused the state administration of deliberately provoking Hindus by targeting their religious symbols while turning a blind eye to similar displays by other groups. “This is not just about flags — it’s about selective secularism. The Congress government is playing dangerous vote-bank politics,” an RSS functionary in Kalaburagi said.
Meanwhile, officials from the Chittapur Municipality maintained that the action was taken purely on administrative grounds as the organisers had yet to receive final approval for the procession. “The banners and flags were put up without written permission, so we had to act as per procedure,” an official clarified.
Despite these explanations, the incident has deepened the ideological divide in Karnataka, coming just days after a government employee in Raichur was suspended for participating in an RSS route march. The opposition now alleges that these back-to-back actions reveal a coordinated effort by the Congress to restrict Sangh-related activities ahead of crucial elections in North Karnataka and the upcoming Bihar polls, where minority votes play a major role.
As tension simmers in Chittapur, BJP and Sangh supporters have vowed to proceed with Sunday’s procession “peacefully but resolutely.” They have also warned that any further attempt to suppress their activities will lead to statewide protests.
