CM Siddaramaiah slams PM Modi for praising RSS in Independence Day speech
Bengaluru, Aug 15 (PTI): Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for describing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the "world’s biggest NGO", Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused him of "speaking as an RSS pracharak from the ramparts of the Red Fort" rather than as the leader of 140 crore Indians.
Siddaramaiah claimed the RSS is "the world’s biggest for-political-profit, for-hate, and most divisive organisation—unregistered, non-tax-paying, and conspiring to pit Indians against each other."
Earlier in the day, Modi had hailed 100 years of the RSS as a "very proud and glorious" journey of the "world’s biggest NGO" and saluted its volunteers for their service to the nation. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, he said the country is not built by the government alone but by the efforts of people across society.
Quoting from Modi’s remarks, Siddaramaiah claimed on 'X': "Let’s be clear: the RSS is not an NGO. It is an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation that thrives on political profit and hate, and conspires to divide Indians."
He alleged the Red Fort was "not a BJP rally stage" but a place of historical significance from where the prime minister must speak for all citizens, not promote his party's parent body.
"By praising the RSS, PM Modi spoke as an RSS pracharak, not as the leader of 140 crore people," Siddaramaiah alleged, calling the remarks a "desperate move to appease the RSS" when Modi was "politically weakened and reliant on its backing."
The chief minister claimed Modi had "lost the moral right" to speak for the whole country by endorsing an organisation that "had no role in the freedom struggle, opposed the tricolour, and worked against the idea of an equal and inclusive India."
Calling the RSS an outfit whose ideology inspired Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and which was banned three times for "spreading hate", Siddaramaiah accused it of twisting Hinduism—"a faith of diversity and tolerance"—into a narrow vision that treats those outside it as second-class citizens.
He alleged the RSS has "engineered and fuelled communal violence for decades" and "corrupted young minds through its networks."
He asked whether the prime minister did not see that its "supremacist vision denies equality, poisons harmony, and contradicts the Constitution."
"Independence Day is a time to honour those who united India," he said, alleging that "instead, PM Modi glorified a force that thrives on polarisation, collaborated with the British, and mirrors their authoritarianism."
"Our freedom was won by people of every religion, caste, and language under the tricolour. No organisation is bigger than that unity or above the Constitution. No Prime Minister can turn Independence Day into a tribute to those who divide India," he claimed.
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2026 Assembly polls charged up due to TVK entry: Actor Vijay tells cadres
Chennai (PTI): Actor-politician Vijay on Monday claimed that the political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu is charged up due to TVK’s entry and urged his party cadres to strive for a victory in the upcoming Assembly election to Tamil Nadu and gain political recognition.
He said with the overwhelming support of the people, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam members should fight the electoral battle with determination and unity to "achieve the democratic goal of seizing the reins of governance."
Vijay launched the TVK on February 2, 2024.
In a post on 'X', Vijay said, "The joyful third year of TVK begins today. Having completed two years naturally and beyond the norm, our political journey continues."
He claimed the TVK was an "immeasurable deep sea" which ignored distractions and never lost its balance in its political journey. The party was the "victorious battle cry of power politics for the common people," Vijay claimed.
The 2026 Assembly election, he said, carried a new environment that had never seen before.
"Everyone says that the only reason for this is our political beginning. Therefore, in this situation, let us make the field our own, and with clear and skillful strategy, move towards political recognition through electoral victory," the actor said.
"With the overwhelming support of all the people, let us fight with determination and unity, and firmly achieve the democratic goal of seizing the throne," Vijay further said.
