On October 16, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to frame new rules requiring organisations to seek government permission for activities like marches and events in public places, on roads and within government premises, including schools and colleges.
In the above context, a video is being widely shared online in which Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers are seen taking out a procession. The video is shared with a caption suggesting that the procession was taken out in Karnataka’s Sedam despite not having permission.
A social media user shared the video with a caption that reads, “1,500 #RSS volunteers hold Path Sanchalam in #Karnataka’s Sedam despite permission denial.”
SouthCheck found that the claim is misleading. Even though the RSS cadre protested the Karnataka government order, the viral video in the claim is from Maharashtra.
On a Google reverse image search, we found a similar video shared by a Facebook page, India Today NE, on May 25.
The video was shared with a caption that reads, “#WATCH | Maharashtra: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held a ‘Path Sanchalan’ (route march) in Nagpur, showcasing disciplined formations and uniformed participation.”
We compared the viral video with the one shared by the FB page and found many similarities. We can find the same signboard and the same rangoli design on the road, thus ascertaining that both videos are of the same event.
Using this information, we searched with relevant keywords and found that the same video was shared by the X account of PTI on May 25, with a caption that reads, “Maharashtra: RSS workers hold route march near Reshimbagh in Nagpur.”
Hence, this shows that the video is from Nagpur.
Did RSS protest the Karnataka government’s order?
We did find reports showing that the organisation protested the recent order by the government. We also found a report by Deccan Herald published on October 19. According to the reports, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held a route march in Sedam, Karnataka, despite the state government denying permission. Hundreds of participants were detained by police after the procession defied the order.
Thus, though the RSS held a protest in Sedam despite the curb, the viral video is old and not associated with it.
