Tamil Nadu Model: Lesson in containing RSS without a ban
A year before the Karnataka Assembly elections, RSS functionary Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat made a controversial statement at a VHP event in Mangaluru, saying that “the saffron flag could replace the Tricolour as the national flag someday.” The same year, Bhat was invited to inaugurate the postgraduate students’ council at Mangalore University — an incident that many saw as proof of how deeply the RSS ideology has penetrated public institutions.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) describes itself as a cultural and nationalist organisation. However, its record and actions often tell a different story. Over the years, several of its leaders have made remarks against the national flag, the national anthem, the Constitution, and secularism. The organisation has also faced allegations of involvement in violence targeting minority communities, documented by judicial commissions and human rights groups.
The RSS Network: Cultural Front, Political Reach
The RSS projects itself as a cultural movement, but its structure and influence are deeply political. Through its daily shakhas, paramilitary-style drills, ideological sessions, and a vast network of temples and educational institutions, it has built one of the largest organised networks in India.
The RSS can easily shift roles presenting itself as a cultural body in normal times, as a mobilising force during communal tensions, and as the BJP’s grassroots machinery during elections. This flexibility gives the organisation a wide reach and makes it a significant force in both social and political life.
A Wake-Up Call for Secular Governments
Non-BJP, secular state governments have recently started recognising the challenges posed by the RSS’s growing influence. In Karnataka, thousands of RSS Vijayadashami rallies were held across the state this year with full administrative support, even as other organisations faced restrictions.
The large turnout prompted Karnataka IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge to write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the government to regulate RSS activities in public spaces. Following this, Siddaramaiah directed the Chief Secretary to study the Tamil Nadu model a governance-based method of restricting RSS activities without imposing an outright ban.
The Tamil Nadu Model: Restricting Without Banning
The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has developed a practical model to contain the RSS through administrative measures rather than confrontation. Using executive orders, police directives, and departmental circulars, the state limits RSS activities in government offices, schools, and public spaces. This approach avoids legal complications while ensuring that public institutions remain ideologically neutral.
It is a model that focuses on governance rather than politics using existing laws to prevent misuse of public property for ideological mobilisation.
Key Measures Taken by Tamil Nadu
- Restricting Use of Government School Premises
In September 2024, the School Education Department issued a circular instructing headmasters not to allow any external events on school premises without prior permission. Local authorities have since applied this rule to prevent RSS shakhas and non-school activities in government campuses.
- Detaining RSS Members for Violations
In October 2025, 39 RSS members were detained in Porur, Chennai, for holding a shakha inside a government school without permission. In another case, 47 workers were detained for trying to organise a Vijayadashami event in a government institution. These actions reinforced that public property cannot be used for political or ideological purposes.
- Ban on RSS Events in Government Premises
The Tamil Nadu government has prohibited RSS from holding shakhas, training camps, or public meetings on government land, in buildings, or in aided institutions. The aim is to prevent ideological indoctrination and maintain secularism in state institutions.
- Extending Restrictions to RSS-Affiliated Bodies
In February 2023, the Higher Education Department issued a notification barring student organisations affiliated with the RSS, such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), from conducting political or ideological activities on campuses without prior permission. Vice-Chancellors and principals were directed to ensure that the secular ethos of universities like Anna University and Madras University is maintained.
- Denying Permissions for Route Marches and Rallies
On Gandhi Jayanti, the Tamil Nadu government denied permission for RSS route marches across the state, citing law-and-order concerns. The Madras High Court later allowed limited marches under strict conditions, including a participant cap, sound restrictions, and fixed routes. The RSS was also made responsible for maintaining order and cleanliness at the venues.
- Using Legal Remedies to Uphold Restrictions
While the Madras High Court later directed the police to allow route marches at select locations, the state appealed to the Supreme Court, defending its right to impose reasonable restrictions. This shows Tamil Nadu’s determination to use every available legal and administrative tool to maintain public order and prevent ideological influence in public spaces.
- Monitoring by the State Intelligence Wing
The Tamil Nadu Intelligence Wing regularly monitors RSS activities and submits quarterly reports to the Home Department. Based on these inputs, several RSS programmes have been stopped for violating state rules. In 2024 alone, 15 such events were cancelled in Chennai. The government also extended these restrictions to “quasi-government” premises like temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Between 2023 and 2025, over 100 RSS event permissions were denied across Tamil Nadu.
For Karnataka, a Lesson in Secular Governance
For Karnataka and other non-BJP states, Tamil Nadu’s approach offers an example of how to protect secular governance within the law. The model avoids direct confrontation while ensuring that public institutions do not become tools of ideological influence.
Adopting such a model is not about political rivalry; it is about upholding the Constitution and the secular principles on which the country stands. When any organisation is allowed to hold mass rallies with full administrative backing, use schools or temples for mobilisation, and turn religion into a political weapon, it becomes a threat to democratic governance.
Tamil Nadu has shown that it is possible to act firmly and lawfully to preserve the state’s secular fabric. Whether Karnataka and other governments can implement similar measures with the same resolve and political courage will be a true test of their commitment to the Constitution.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Jammu and Kashmir enter maiden Ranji Trophy final; Bengal left stunned
Kalyani (West Bengal) (PTI): Sixty seven years after their maiden appearance, Jammu and Kashmir stormed into the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time on Wednesday, upstaging two-time former champions Bengal by six wickets in the semifinals here to add another historic chapter to a fairytale season so far.
Auqib Nabi's stunning nine-wicket match haul and their IPL star Abdul Samad's fearless strokeplay ensured that the side once labelled "perennial underachievers" now stands one step away from the title.
Chasing a modest 126 at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground, J&K rode on Samad's unbeaten 30 off 27 balls (3x6, 1x4) and rookie Vanshaj Sharma's composed 43 not out off 83 ball (4x4) as the pair stitched an unbroken 55-run stand for the fourth wicket to seal history on the fourth and penultimate day of the semifinal.
In a heartwarming gesture, Samad, who had done the bulk of the damage, allowed the 22-year-old Vanshaj to finish it in style and the youngster launched Mukesh Kumar over long-on for six to spark wild celebrations in the visiting camp.
From strugglers to history-makers
======================
Jammu and Kashmir had played 334 Ranji matches before this season, winning only 45. It took them 44 years to register their first victory, against Services in 1982-83.
Knockout appearances were rare. A breakthrough came in 2013-14 when they edged Goa on net run rate to reach the quarterfinals, and in 2015-16 they stunned Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium under state icon Parveez Rasool.
But consistency eluded them for decades as this season, under coach Ajay Sharma and captain Paras Dogra, they transformed belief into results.
After an opening loss to Mumbai, they bounced back with innings wins over Rajasthan and key victories against Delhi and Hyderabad to enter the knockouts.
A dramatic 56-run win over Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal, powered by Nabi’s 12/110, brought them to the semifinals for the first time.
Bengal's big names, bigger letdown
=======================
With four India internationals in Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed, and India A star batter Abhimanyu Easwran along with home advantage to boot, this was Bengal's game to lose.
They did exactly that after folding for 99 in 25.1 overs on day three that set Jammu and Kashmir a paltry 126 to win.
Resuming at 43/2 on the penultimate day, J&K lost an early wicket but Bengal failed to sustain pressure despite Akash Deep's relentless 15-over morning spell (3/46) and Shami's probing 1/24 from 24 overs.
There were anxious moments when Shubham Pundir was cleaned up and Dogra edged behind -- a low diving catch by Abishek Porel off Akash Deep eventually upheld after review.
But Bengal looked fatigued and short of ideas once Samad counterattacked. The IPL batter, retained by Lucknow Super Giants, turned the tide in a single over against Akash Deep that fetched 18 runs.
He did not spare Shahbaz either, dancing down the track to deposit him over mid-wicket and then through covers as J&K crossed the 100-run mark.
From there, shoulders dropped in the Bengal camp.
The introduction of part-time options and a visible dip in intensity underlined a campaign that promised much but fizzled when it mattered most.
Nabi's season for the ages
==================
The foundations of Jammu and Kashmir's win, however, were laid by Nabi.
"Last time we missed it in the quarters but we did all the hard work and we deserved it," said Nabi after winning the man-of-the-match.
The 29-year-old pacer followed his 12-wicket match haul in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh with another devastating effort, finishing with nine wickets in the match, including a five-for in the first innings, to take his season's tally to 55 wickets at an average of under 13.
Nabi had also contributed with the bat playing a decisive knock at No.9.
J&K had posted 302 in their first innings, reducing the deficit to 26, thanks to Dogra's gritty 58 (112 balls), Samad's counterattacking 82 (85 balls) and a crucial late surge from Nabi (42 off 54) and Yudhvir Singh (33) in a 64-run last-wicket stand.
Dogra's milestone
===========
For 41-year-old captain Paras Dogra, it was a week of personal and collective milestones.
In a career spanning 24 years across Himachal Pradesh, Pondicherry and now J&K, Dogra also became only the second batter after Wasim Jaffer to score 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs.
Introduced to the game by his father Kultar, Dogra's journey has been one of endurance and quiet steel.
"It's a big achievement, never thought about it. I enjoyed the journey full of ups and downs. The game makes you a strong human being," Dogra said.
His resolute half-century in a 143-run partnership with Samad in the first innings set the tone for the side's resilience.
