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.
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Deepika Kumari leads Indian recurve archery team to dramatic World Cup gold
Shanghai (PTI): The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenager Kumkum Mohod held their nerve in a tense shoot-off to beat home favourites China and clinch the women's recurve team gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 here on Sunday.
In a final marked by fluctuating fortunes, India edged past the home side 5-4 (28-26) in the shoot-off after the four-set regulation ended 4-4.
The victory was especially sweeter as India had earlier stunned record 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals en route to their first World Cup women's team gold since 2021.
Deepika, who was also part of India's World Cup-winning teams in Guatemala City and Paris in 2021, now has seven World Cup team gold medals to her name since 2010.
It was also the Indian women recurve team's first World Cup medal in three years, its previous podium finish coming in Stage 4 in Paris in 2023 where Ankita was a member of the winning team.
India's campaign in Shanghai has thus already yielded two medals after compound archer Sahil Jadhav opened the country's account, securing a bronze on Saturday.
India also remained in contention for another podium finish later in the day with recurve archer Simranjeet Kaur set to compete in the semifinals. She is a win away from her maiden individual World Cup medal.
Travelling without a full-time national coach amid the continuing impasse over appointments, it was the vastly experienced Deepika who led from the front, constantly motivating her teammates during breaks and changeovers.
Prafull Dange, who was the designated women's recurve coach after his ward Kumkum topped the national trials, largely remained in the background as Deepika guided the side through the pressure moments against a hostile home crowd and vocal Chinese support staff.
Against a young Chinese side comprising Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and teenage archer Yu Qi, who all made their World Cup debuts only last year, India looked in control initially but nearly let the match slip after taking the opening set (54-53).
Shooting last in the Indian order, Deepika set the tone with successive 10s as India edged the first set despite Ankita (8-8) and 17-year-old Kumkum (10-8) putting up an inconsistent show.
Deepika continued her fine rhythm in the second set with another perfect 10 as India briefly held a one-point advantage (28-27) midway through the end. But China responded strongly with two 9s and a 10 in their final three arrows of the second set to post 55.
Ankita replied with a 9, but Kumkum managed only an 8, leaving Deepika needing a 10 to level the set.
The four-time Olympian, however, slipped to a 7 as India lost the set 52-55 and China drew level at 2-2.
The hosts then moved ahead in the third set. The teams were initially tied at 56, but a review upgraded China's final arrow from 8 to 9, handing them the set 57-56 and a 4-2 lead.
India appeared on the verge of defeat in the fourth set despite Deepika rediscovering her touch with two 10s. Kumkum's final arrow landed in the 7-ring as India posted a modest 54.
China required two 10s and a 9 from their last three arrows to seal the match.
Zhu and Huang delivered perfect 10s, leaving 18-year-old Yu Qi needing a 9 for victory in front of the home crowd.
But the youngster shot an 8, allowing India a dramatic escape and forcing a shoot-off.
The Indians peaked at the right moment in the decider. Ankita opened with a 9, Kumkum followed with a superb 10, and Deepika calmly delivered a 9 when only an 8 was needed to seal the title.
