Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly responded to BJP leaders’ campaign against IT/BT and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, who recently said he was receiving abusive threats for demanding a ban on RSS activities in public places.
Siddaramaiah said the government will consider imposing a ban on RSS activities in Karnataka.
“Minister Kharge himself has stated that he is receiving threat calls for seeking a ban on RSS activities in public places. He only suggested that Karnataka follow Tamil Nadu’s model. What is wrong with that? Priyank is not afraid of such threats,” said Siddaramaiah, speaking to reporters at Mysuru Airport on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister added that he has instructed the Chief Secretary to obtain details about the RSS ban in Tamil Nadu, and that the report will be reviewed once received. He also confirmed that security will be provided to Kharge.
“Evil forces will always indulge in such acts. Neither Priyank nor I am afraid of threats,” he said.
When asked about BJP leaders challenging the Congress government to ban the RSS if it has the courage, Siddaramaiah retorted, “Even during the elections, BJP leaders had challenged us to defeat them if we had the strength, and they lost.”
Siddaramaiah reiterated his views regarding banning RSS activities during his visit to Hassan district earlier on Wednesday, where he offered prayers to Goddess Hasanamba. The Chief Minister said the state government will not permit the RSS or any other organisation to conduct programmes in government institutions or public places if their activities disrupt social harmony.
Days after Karnataka’s IT-BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge demanded a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its activities on government properties, he said he has been “receiving threat calls” and on Wednesday posted a video on X in which a man can be heard abusing the minister in harsh and derogatory language.
Calling the clip a sample of the threatening and abusive calls he has been receiving, Kharge said the video “is a small example of the kind of filth the RSS is trying to fill in the minds of young people.”
The minister also said the abusive calls, which targeted his wife, children, and other senior Congress leaders as well, came from RSS workers. He has since written to the Home Ministry requesting action against those making the threats, and the Karnataka Home Minister has assured him that necessary action will be taken.
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