Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the Chief Secretary to review the action by the Tamil Nadu government to ban the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at official sites. His statement came after a letter from Minister Priyank Kharge urging a similar ban be imposed in Karnataka, citing the precedent set by Tamil Nadu.
“””The RSS organisation is using government spaces for its activities,”” Siddaramaiah told reporters.” Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter saying that since it has been banned in Tamil Nadu, it should be banned here too. I have directed the Chief Secretary to consider and review the action taken by Tamil Nadu regarding the ban on RSS activities in government places.
The move comes after Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ban RSS activities in government schools, colleges and state-owned temples. He accused the organisation of brainwashing young minds and promoting philosophy against the Constitution.
“He criticised the RSS saying, “”Hindus are in danger, give birth to more children””, yet its members are bachelors.” Why can’t they get married and follow what they preach?
Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, I have requested the Chief Minister that RSS activities should not be allowed in government schools and colleges. The activities of the RSS brainwash the youth, which is not benefiting the country or society. I have written to the chief minister asking him not to allow RSS activities or their meetings, not even in archaeological temples or government temples.
Let them do this in private homes. We have no problem with this, but you can’t use government ground to brainwash them on a large scale. If this philosophy was so good then why don’t the children of BJP leaders participate in it? How many children of BJP leaders have taken Trishul initiation?
How many children of BJP leaders are protectors of religion and guardians of religion? How many children of BJP leaders come out openly during a communal riot? The philosophy of RSS is only for the poor. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also spoke on the issue of representation of the Valmiki community in the state cabinet. Responding to questions about a possible cabinet post after the resignation of a community legislator, Siddaramaiah said the issue would be considered during the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
“””In the context of the cabinet reshuffle in the coming days, it will be considered whether the members of the Valmiki community should be given representation or not,”” Siddaramaiah said.” Siddaramaiah hosted a dinner meeting for all his cabinet colleagues on Monday. The meeting took place a few weeks before the completion of two and a half years of the Congress government in the state.
Though there was speculation of a cabinet reshuffle in the state soon, Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy said the only agenda of the dinner meeting was the Brihat Bengaluru Municipal Corporation (BBMP), Zila Panchayat (ZP) and Taluk Panchayat (TP) elections.
Asked if the ministers’ performance was discussed, he said no such assessment was made at the meeting. The meeting took place against the backdrop of supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar within the Congress claiming that he would be the chief minister. After the Congress’s victory in the 2023 assembly elections in the state, DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah were contenders for the chief minister’s post.
After several rounds of discussions, the Congress high command chose Siddaramaiah for the post of Chief Minister. At that time, there were reports that Shivakumar had agreed to this decision after a rotation of the chief minister’s post between himself and Siddaramaiah. However, the central leadership of the Congress never publicly acknowledged the existence of such a system.
The central leadership of the Congress suppressed Shivakumar’s claims by issuing a notice to prevent his supporters from commenting on the issue. Apart from this, party general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala also dismissed the speculations as baseless. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said on several occasions that he wants to complete his five-year term as Chief Minister. DK Shivakumar also cautioned any Congress leader against publicly applauding the leadership change in the party. He also said that he would follow the decision of the party high command in this regard.
