One Hundred Years Of... Footprint in the South

A focus on local, cultural and political realities appears to be the strategy being deployed by both the RSS and the BJP to gain a stronger foothold in Karnataka

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THE Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) presence in Karnataka goes back to the mid-1930s. The first shakha was set up in 1935 in the town of Chikkodi. Since then (as of 2021), the RSS has expanded to around 4,600 shakhas. In regions like coastal Karnataka, the RSS has established itself as one of the preeminent socio-religious organisations. Its success in coastal, central and northern Karnataka has played a key role in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as a major political force. At the same time, regions like Old Mysore offer the RSS an opportunity to grow. Old Mysore is where the RSS and the BJP have had a limited footprint. With 2025 marking the 100th anniversary of the RSS’ establishment, it is a good time to relook at the organisation’s successes and future potential in Karnataka. This piece looks back at the RSS’ origins, growth and examines prospects of expansion in the state.

Coastal Karnataka: The Origins of Hindu Awakening