Ramanath Rai backs Priyank Kharge’s call to ban RSS events on government premises
Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka minister B. Ramanath Rai has extended his support to Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge’s letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) programmes on government properties and public spaces.
Speaking at a press conference at the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DKDCC) office in Mallikatte, Mangaluru, on Thursday, Rai, who also serves as the Vice-President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), said that the entire party stands firmly with Kharge on the issue.
“The RSS continues to poison the minds of children and spread disharmony in society. Even in Dakshina Kannada, the social environment has deteriorated because of their activities,” Rai said.
He reiterated that the Congress Party would never support any organisation that uses religion as its foundation, stressing that the party’s focus remains on strengthening its ideological principles of inclusivity and secularism.
“I have always opposed the RSS because I follow the Congress ideology, and many others in our party continue to stand by these values,” he stated.
Rai highlighted the contributions of Congress leaders to the development of Dakshina Kannada, from freedom fighter Srinivas Mallya to the present generation of leaders. He accused the BJP of prioritising electoral politics over development, adding, “While our leaders worked for the progress of this region, the BJP only focuses on winning elections.”
Criticising the Central Government, he also questioned India’s diplomatic outreach to ministers from the Taliban government, calling it contradictory to the BJP’s public rhetoric on nationalism and security.
Responding to Legislative Council Chief Whip Ravikumar’s allegation that Congress members fund the RSS, Rai said the MLC “lacked knowledge and understanding” of the issue.
The press conference was attended by several Congress leaders, including former Mayor Shashidhar Hegde, MG Hegde, Baby Kunder, BL Padmanabha Kotian, S. Appi, Chittaranjan Shetty Bondala, Dinesh Muloor, Sadashiva Shetty, TK Sudheer, Girish Shetty, Padmaprasad Jain, Manjula Nayak, Ramananda Poojary, Sajith Shetty Vamanjoor, Yogish Kumar, Sunil Bajilakeri, and Shabbir Siddakatte, among others.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
NIMHANS-like institutes needed across country: Minister Sharan Prakash Patil
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Saturday called for renewed efforts and innovation to tackle neurovascular diseases, infections and a widening range of mental health challenges.
Speaking at the 28th convocation of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) here, he acknowledged ongoing and emerging concerns, including a rise in psychiatric and psychological disorders.
Patil said the state government has proposed setting up NIMHANS-like institutes in Mysuru and Kalaburagi to strengthen regional access to specialised care.
"Not only in Karnataka, but NIMHANS-like institutions should be established across the country," the Medical Education Minister said.
ALSO READ: BJP to lay siege to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Dec 9: Vijayendra
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also attended the event virtually from New Delhi.
Announcing key infrastructure plans, Patil said land provided by the state government, along with approval from the Union Finance Ministry, will enable the construction of a new north campus at Kyalasanahalli, Bengaluru, to function as a polytrauma centre for augmenting critical care services.
He thanked the Finance Minister for sanctioning a new Outpatient Department (OPD) complex at NIMHANS.
He further highlighted the need to address urban mental health issues, maternal and child mental health concerns, teenage suicides, substance use disorders and geriatric mental health services.
Underscoring Karnataka’s role as a partner in neurological care, Patil said the state operates two Tele-MANAS cells at NIMHANS and Dharwad and is implementing the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative (Ka-BHI) with NIMHANS as the apex centre.
The Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) toll-free helpline numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 offer multi-language support and have been pivotal in facilitating communication between callers and mental health professionals.
Launched by the government in October 2022 to enhance mental health service nationwide, the programme operates 51 Tele-MANAS cells across all states and Union territories.
Reassuring the institute and its alumni of continued support, Patil said the state government would remain open to discussion, collaboration and assistance to strengthen mental health and neurosciences in Karnataka and across the country.
