Pioneer In Short

RSS route marches across Karnataka

The RSS held route marches at several locations across Karnataka on Sunday as part of its centenary celebrations and Vijayadashami, amid tight security and a political row over permissions. In Bengaluru, marches were held in Jayanagar and Chamarajpet, with BJP leaders R Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and Bhaskar Rao participating. In Hubballi, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi joined thousands of uniformed volunteers in a procession. Marches were also held in Kalaburagi under prescribed conditions. However, events in Tumakuru, Mulbagal, Chikkaballapur and Koppal were postponed or deferred over permission-related issues. Home Minister Priyank Kharge has maintained that organisations must obtain prior permission for route marches. BJP leaders accused the Congress government of harassing the RSS. Ashoka alleged that authorities had delayed permissions unnecessarily, while Joshi questioned the use of the model code to restrict marches.

Police deployed security personnel to maintain law and order during the processions.

Raj deletes film, MNS questions police

MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said he had deleted a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani from his social media accounts following a request from the Mumbai Police commissioner. The documentary, produced by Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia, had garnered over 48 lakh views on X, Thackeray claimed. He said he had been raising questions about the relationship between Modi and Adani since January 2026. The development comes days after Mumbai Police issued legal notices to 24 X account holders who shared the film, alleging it contained false, misleading and disparaging claims that harmed a company’s reputation. Thackeray said he removed the documentary out of respect for the police chief, whom he described as the head of an efficient police force. The move drew questions from MNS leaders. Party leader Sandeep Deshpande asked why police had sought the removal of the video, alleging that other law-and-order concerns deserved greater attention.

Separately, Thackeray alleged that the Centre had directed Maharashtra to transfer hundreds of hectares of forest land in Bhimashankar to Gujarat-based Torrent Group. He accused the government of favouring select industrialists. An MNS functionary said Thackeray would address a rally in Karjat on October 28 on the issue.