Cong minister demand for ban on RSS activities in Karnataka a publicity stunt, says Fadnavis
Amravati, Oct 13 (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed as a "publicity stunt" Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge's demand for a ban on RSS activities in government institutions and public premises in the southern state.
Talking to reporters in Amravati, Fadnavis insisted the Congress minister does not have any standing of his own to demand a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in Karnataka.
"Priyank Kharge is making such statements just for publicity. He does not having any standing of his own and his politics is dependent on his father (Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge)," said the BJP leader.
He was responding to a question on Karnataka Minister for Electronics, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Kharge calling for a statewide ban on RSS activities in government institutions and public premises, claiming such activities violate India's unity and the Constitution.
ALSO READ: Priyank Kharge’s call to ban RSS activities on government premises sparks social media spat with BJP
Fadnavis asserted the Nagpur-headquartered RSS is a patriotic outfit driven by nationalistic thinking.
"I want to remind him (Priyank Kharge) that in the past efforts were made to ban the RSS and it was banned, too (on three occasions). (Then Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi had also banned the RSS (in 1975), but she had to lose power (in 1977 polls post-Emergency). The RSS is a 'sanskritik shakti' (cultural power) and a patriotic organisation inspired by nationalistic thinking. We don't pay attention to such publicity stunts," the CM opined.
Kharge has made the demand in a letter written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In the letter dated October 4, Kharge alleged the RSS has been conducting its 'shakhas' in government and government-aided schools, as well as on public grounds, where "slogans are shouted and negative ideas are instilled in the minds of children and youth."
Fadnavis was in Amravati in eastern Maharashtra to preside over a review meeting of the BJP called to take stock of preparations for the upcoming local body elections.
The CM informed that the BJP, which heads the ruling Mahayuti alliance, is conducting region-wise reviews of its preparations for the long-pending elections to rural and urban civic bodies, including Mumbai and Nagpur municipal corporations.
ALSO READ: Priyank Kharge urges CM Siddaramaiah to ban RSS activities in government institutions, public spaces
The party has completed review meetings in Marathwada, North Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra, Konkan and Amravati divisions. The process will be completed for Nagpur by Monday evening and then preparations for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will be assessed and the exercise will be completed by next week, he stated.
In reply to a question, Fadnavis expressed confidence that the Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, will put up a good show in the local body elections.
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Women’s Reservation Bill: K'taka CM accuses PM Modi of adopting 'double standard'
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting a “double standard” on women’s reservation, alleging that the Centre had delayed implementation despite having the opportunity to act earlier.
Addressing reporters here, Siddaramaiah said the BJP and Modi had earlier opposed welfare guarantees and were now replicating them, while also questioning the timing and intent behind the women’s reservation move.
“That’s what I call double standards. Narendra Modi is not for social justice. If he was, this would have been done long ago. How many years has he been in power? It’s been 12 years. Why hasn’t it been done so far?” he asked.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress had consistently supported women’s reservation and accused the Centre of "politicising" the issue.
“We spoke about women’s reservation. The Prime Minister asked me what our stand was. I said we are in favour of women’s reservation,” he said, referring to recent discussions with the PM.
He maintained that delimitation should only be carried out after a fresh Census to ensure equitable representation among states.
“In my view, delimitation should be done after a new census. That is why we opposed it. We have not opposed women’s reservation. We have always supported it,” he said.
Highlighting Congress’ past role, he said, “Who brought the 73rd and 74th amendments? Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress party. Those amendments ensured 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies. Why would we oppose it?”
Siddaramaiah further questioned the union government’s delay in implementation. “Narendra Modi indulged in politics and got it passed in 2023. Why didn’t he implement it immediately? Then why did he wait so long? He could have implemented it immediately. If he is committed to women’s reservation, he should have implemented it,” he said.
On the linkage between delimitation and reservation, he asked, “Why did the Centre link it with delimitation? Why did it go for a constitutional amendment?” adding that such a move could disadvantage southern states that have successfully controlled population growth.
“Southern states have controlled population well, but northern states haven’t. Naturally, it benefits them and disadvantages us,” he said.
Responding to BJP’s criticism that women would “teach Congress a lesson,” Siddaramaiah said, “They are doing politics. If Modi had brought this earlier, who would have opposed women’s reservation?”
On electoral prospects elsewhere, he said he had no direct information on Tamil Nadu but was optimistic about ruling DMK's victory.
"According to the information I have, DMK and its alliance are likely to win,” while asserting that Kerala would also be won by the opposition.
In a major setback to the BJP-led Central government, a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday, with the ruling dispensation asserting that the struggle to give the rights to women will continue.
While 298 members voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.
According to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Seats were also to be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
