RSS Route March: Karnataka High Court Directs Second Meeting Between RSS Kalaburagi Convenor & District Authorities On Nov 5

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (October 30) asked the Convenor of RSS Kalaburagi Ashok Patil to meet with district authorities on November 5 at the Advocate General's office with respect to holding a proposed march (Pathasanchalana) in Chittapur Town.

The court also asked the senior counsel appearing for the petitioner senior advocate Aruna Shyam as well as Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty to be a part of the meeting to guide the modalities. The march was earlier proposed to be held on November 2.

This, was the second meeting directed by the court. On October 24 the court had asked the State authorities to hold a peace-committee meeting with the organizers on October 28. The court had said this after taking note of a report by the authorities as per which there exists some kind of tension at Chittapur town, where the march is proposed to take place. 

After hearing the submissions, Justice MGS Kamal while dictating the order said, "This court by order dated 24-10-2025, taking note of report submitted by state government, had directed the respondent authorities to hold meeting with the petitioner and organisations as indicated in the report, in the order. This court had directed petitioner to cooperate with authorities keeping in mind situation in Chittapur town. Learned Advocate General (AG) was directed to communicate to petitioner regarding place and time of meeting...matter was listed to report outcome of said meeting". 

The court further said:

"Counsel submits that petitioner is willing to participate in the meeting if given one more opportunity. AG submits that he would facilitate another meeting. Considering attention this issue has gathered, this court has suggested both learned senior counsel as well as Advocate Kadloor and Advocate General to be part of the meeting..to guide the modalities of the meeting. With the consent of the parties such meeting with respondent authorities shall be held on November 5, at 5 pm, in the AG's office. List the matter on November 7".

During the hearing Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam for the petitioner argued that "responsible members" from the organisation were present and attended the meeting on October 28.

"We made it very clear that we want to have this on that limited period. We do not have any objections of other organisation doing it," he said. 

Meanwhile Advocate General (AG) Shashikiran Shetty appearing for the State said, "Pursuant to the order petitioner did not appear. He is before the court today but refuses to appear. Shyam meanwhile said that there was a death in the house of the petitioner, so he requested others to attend the meeting.

The court however orally said that these other persons are not before the court in the present matter. 

The AG said, "If they requested any other day we would have accommodated. Petitioner is an individual not any organisation. We contacted him served notice; I will say he virtually evaded notice. We want to put an end to this but they are not cooperating". 

The AG said that the State wants to find a solution however the petitioner has now filed an application seeking to implead the Union of India.

"I do not know what he is upto. The conduct of the petitioner is only politics," the AG said. 

The court at this stage said to Shyam, "There was a purpose why the court told you to appear and why state was told to serve notice on you (petitioner)". 

As Shyam submitted that the meeting had taken place the court however orally remarked,

"No, petitioner did not appear. There was a purpose; we had requested the petitioner to attend the meeting. Those on the ground/crease will know how to play, not for those outside who give comment. It is for this purpose we requested petitioner or his counsel".

Shyam however said that responsible persons of the organisation had appeared and the meeting went well and even details of how many people would attend the proposed march etc., were given 

The court however said, "We gave the opportunity now proceed on merits of the matter. The effort of the court was to resolve the matter". 

Shyam submitted that it was due to a bonafide reason that the petitioner could not attend the meeting. 

The court said, "Mediation is always best possible way to resolve such issues. Anyhow now for any reason it has failed". Shyam at this stage if it was possible for the petitioner to appear before the district authorities today. 

"We are once again ready to appear before the DC (Deputy Commissioner)," Shyam added.

The court asked the AG if the petitioner can appear. To this the AG said, "Let him appear on Monday and we can work to give a quietus to the issue". 

The AG asked if the meeting can happen in Bengaluru, to which the court said that there was no difficulty. 

"Except for Monday or Tuesday any other day. We will try to give a quietus to the issue," AG added.

Shyam said that, "we (petitioner) can join through VC if DC is here. Anyway, suggested by the court is ok. Let them accommodate other claims first and close it".

AG said that the authority will consider the petitioner's request first.

The court however said that it was not setting the tone of the meeting. "Who will be given precedence etc you'll decide amicably," the court orally said. 

Shyam suggesed that the meeting can held through VC if at all there is some difficulty. To which the AG said, "Let them give half hour advance notice, we will". 

While concluding the court said, "This meeting should set a right path for things in future". 

The matter is now kept on November 7.

Case title: Ashok Patil AND The Deputy Commissioner & Others

WP 203166 of 2025