Karnataka mulls ban on RSS activities at public places

Bengaluru: Karnataka is mulling a ban on the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in public places on the grounds that the organisation is acting against the principles of the Constitution and its cadres are stoking unrest among the children and youth, threatening the unity and integrity of India.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah has asked chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh to examine the matter and take appropriate action, following a letter from IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge.

The letter on the issue sparked protests from the BJP, which called it an attempt by the Congress to divert public attention away from the collapse of governance and to mask the internal power struggle within the party over the CM's post.


The IT/BT minister in his letter urged the CM to ban RSS activities, including its shakhas and baithaks, or gatherings, at government and aided schools and at public parks, playgrounds and temples under the government control and at archaeological sites.

He alleged that the organisation, through its activities, was sowing the seeds of hatred. RSS cadres, he added, were displaying their lathis (sticks) menacingly in public places without taking permission from the police.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra said the move showed the growing intolerance in Congress to the increasing popularity of the Sangh. There was not a single instance of RSS cadres showing signs of indiscipline, he told media persons, adding that the Sangh had remained a steadfast nationalist force but the Congress was viewing the organisation with prejudiced eyes.