Heated exchange between BJP and Priyank Kharge over Bill ‘targeting’ RSS

The Karnataka Cabinet clearing a Bill that the BJP claims indirectly targets the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), by making it mandatory for private associations to seek permission to use public spaces, triggered a heated exchange between the saffron party leaders and Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday.

Launching an attack on the Home Minister, the BJP dared the government to try banning the RSS, while Mr. Kharge wondered if the RSS was a terrorist/underworld organisation or a group of criminals to threaten those who questioned it.

Responding to media queries on efforts to target the RSS through the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bil, likely to be tabled in the ongoing Monsoon Session, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said: “Though the name of the RSS has not been directly mentioned in the Bill, it is clear that the Chief Minister and the Home Minister are trying to indirectly target the RSS.”

He said the government should try to ban the RSS “if it has the courage.”

He declared that the BJP would not tolerate any efforts to target the RSS and maintained that the RSS was able to grow strongly though it had been banned earlier. He asked the Congress government to learn from history before making any move with respect to RSS.

In a similar tone, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok asked: “If you continue to focus only on targeting RSS, what will happen at your doorsteps after one-and-a-half years? (when the term of the Assembly ends)?”

Responding strongly to this, Mr. Kharge said that Mr. Ashok’s statement implied that one cannot come out of his house if he takes on the RSS. “Is he implying that the RSS is a terrorist organisation or an underworld mafia that finishes off those who question it? I have the protection from the Constitution to come out of my house and I have the moral courage given by Babasaheb Ambedkar to talk freely.”

Wondering why the BJP felt the Bill only targeted the RSS, he said, “Such anxiety will haunt only those who are guilty.”