BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'diverting attention' by curbing RSS activities
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP on Sunday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of trying to 'divert public attention' from its alleged failures, by restricting RSS activities such as route marches.
The party welcomed the High Court directive on the RSS route march in Kalaburagi district's Chittapur, where authorities had denied permission on Sunday.
However, Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that the BJP leaders were misreading court directions and peddling misinformation.
The Karnataka High Court on Sunday asked the RSS representatives to file a fresh application seeking permission to hold its route march in Chittapur on November 2. It further asked the authorities to consider the application and submit the report to the court on October 24.
Targeting the government, Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pralhd Joshi said CM Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues need to learn "humility".
"I welcome the judgement of the High Court and we all believe in the Constitution and the judiciary. It is our right and they (HC) have given it, I welcome it," he said in response to a question.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka charged the Congress government with "creating controversies" around the RSS to divert attention from its "failures".
"I would only like to advise that this exhibition of arrogance is not in the public interest and the same arrogance is being shown to the industry people also, because of which many industries instead of investing in silicon city like Bengaluru and Karnataka are moving out. To hide all these issues this (RSS issue) is being created."
The BJP leader alleged that the Congress government supports those who hail Pakistan, and opposes those who say "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".
Claiming that roads in Bengaluru are blocked for prayers every Friday, he said permission is denied if the RSS wanted to take out route march. The RSS conducts route march only after obtaining permission.
Warning that actions against the RSS would backfire in the future, Ashoka welcomed the HC decision on the RSS route march in Chittapur.
"We have never imposed restrictions on any organization's programmes, while in power. Similarly, the Congress should also behave. They should first understand what the RSS' activities are," he said.
JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy too alleged that the state's Congress government was raking up the RSS issue through its Minister Priyank Kharge to hide its failures, and to divert the minds of the people.
Authorities in Chittapur, the home constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, had denied permission for the RSS route march on Sunday, citing the possibility of disruption of peace and law and order.
The state government on Saturday issued an order making "prior permission" mandatory for any private organisation, association or a group of persons to use government property or premises.
The directive follows a Cabinet decision, prompted by a recent letter from Panchayat Raj and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on RSS' activities in public places.
In a post on 'X', Kharge alleged that the BJP leaders continue to misread court directions and peddle misinformation.
"....the RSS event scheduled in Chittapur has not been permitted. The High Court has only directed the petitioners (RSS) to file a fresh application, which the State Government MAY CONSIDER," he said.
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Pat Cummins ruled out of T20 World Cup as Australia pick Ben Dwarshuis in 15-men squad
Melbourne (PTI): Australia suffered a huge blow on Saturday as premier pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup due to an injury, forcing the national selectors to pick Ben Dwarshuis in his place in a 15-member squad.
Cummins, 32, has not recovered fully from his lingering back injury and will miss the tournament that begins in India and Sri Lanka on February 7, while top-order batter Matthew Short has also been omitted from the original 15-player squad.
Matthew Renshaw comes in for Short who was listed in the initial provisional squad.
Selector Tony Dodemaide said: "With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late order hitting.
Cummins had initially been named in Australia's provisional squad.
"We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations will be well suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.
"Matt (Renshaw) has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat.".
The trio of Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis have cleared the fitness test for the month-long T20 showpiece.
Hazlewood has not played since injuring his hamstring and Achilles prior to the Ashes. David missed most of the BBL and the Pakistan series because of a hamstring injury, while Ellis missed the Big Bash League finals and the Pakistan tour with a hamstring niggle.
"With the top order settled and spin heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle order support, with Tim David completing his return to play program in the early phase of the tournament.
"As a left hander, he (Renshaw) also offers a point of difference to the middle order batting."
Australia is currently playing a three-game T20 Series against Pakistan in Lahore before leaving for Sri Lanka for the pool stages of the World Cup.
The T20 World Cup will be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8..
Australian squad: Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
