The Karnataka High Court’s decision to stay the Congress government’s order restricting RSS path sachlan and use of public places has sparked a fresh political storm, with the opposition BJP accusing the state government of authoritarianism and constitutional violations.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, launched a sharp attack on the Congress, stating that the High Court’s order amounted to a “reprimand” of the government’s undemocratic and politically motivated actions. “The High Court has reprimanded the Congress government for its authoritarian move of not allowing the RSS to run its course. It has clearly stated that such a move violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution,” Ashoka said in a statement.
Ashoka, posting on social media platform X, alleged that the Congress government had been engaging in “Hitler-style governance” and using administrative power to suppress ideological opponents. “This Hitler game will not last much longer. Let’s stop this futile attempt to curb RSS through the back door. If you have the strength, ban RSS directly,” he challenged.
ಹಿಟ್ಲರ್ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಛಡಿಯೇಟು!
RSS ಪಥಸಂಚನಲಕ್ಕೆ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡದಿರುವ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿರಂಕುಶವಾದಿ ನಡೆಗೆ ಮಾನ್ಯ ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್ ಛೀಮಾರಿ ಹಾಕಿದ್ದು, ಸಂವಿಧಾನದತ್ತ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಉಲ್ಲಂಘನೆ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದೆ.
ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ಹಾಗು ಸಚಿವ @PriyankKharge ಅವರೇ, ನಿಮ್ಮ… pic.twitter.com/Aecr2DJWgn
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) October 29, 2025
The senior BJP leader accused the Siddaramaiah-led government of double standards and hypocrisy, questioning its commitment to democratic principles. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Priyank Kharge should answer this: Do the fundamental rights of citizens not exist in the same Constitution book that your supreme leader Rahul Gandhi keeps flaunting? Or have you decided to rewrite it for your convenience?” he asked.
The controversy stems from the state government’s recent circular requiring private organisations and institutions to obtain prior permission before conducting events or using public properties, including government premises, parks, and open grounds. The order had effectively restricted RSS marches, cultural gatherings, and other public activities, drawing strong criticism from the BJP and allied organisations.
On October 28, the Karnataka High Court issued an interim stay on the implementation of the order, observing that the directive could infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression. The court noted that such blanket restrictions cannot be imposed without legal justification or specific instances of misuse.
Ashoka hailed the court’s decision as a “victory for democracy and the Constitution,” asserting that the Congress government had been exposed for its “anti-Hindu and anti-democratic mindset.” “The court has once again upheld the spirit of the Constitution that the Congress government tried to trample upon. The Siddaramaiah government has been acting like a political arm of the SDPI and PFI, targeting nationalist organisations while shielding radical elements,” he alleged.
Other BJP leaders also joined the chorus of criticism, calling the High Court’s order a “slap on the face” of the Congress administration. They claimed that the government was using its power to suppress organisations like the RSS, which have a long-standing cultural and social presence in Karnataka.
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