RSS an association of upper castes, PM Modi a great dramatist: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Aug 9: Calling the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh an "association of upper castes", senior Karnataka Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Tuesday called the central government's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign a "drama", and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "great dramatist".
The former state chief minister questioned BJP's and RSS' contribution to India's freedom struggle and alleged that they have opposed the national flag, anthem and the Constitution. "How can they be patriots?" he asked.
"I have been opposing the RSS from the beginning as it is just an association of upper castes, that's the reason they believe in the 'Chaturvarna' system (caste system). Chaturvarna system believes in the supremacy of upper castes; if that system continues, there will be inequality which may in turn lead to exploitation," Siddaramaiah said.
All Sangh Parivar organisations like the RSS, BJP, Hindu Mahasabha, Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Bajrang Dal believe in such a caste system and ideology, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly alleged while speaking during an event organised at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office here to commemorate the Quit India Movement's anniversary.
Calling BJP's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign a "drama", he alleged that "their (BJP) ideological leaders like V D Savarkar, M S Golwalkar and RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' had opposed the national tricolour. We must expose them."
For about 52 years, the national flag was not hoisted on RSS headquarters at Nagpur in Maharashtra, Siddaramaiah alleged.
Claiming that it is the Congress and its leaders who are responsible for "free India", Siddaramaiah alleged that Savarakar had written an apology letter to the British to be freed from jail, and he is being called "Veer Savarkar".
"Had Golwalkar or Hedgewar (RSS leaders) fought for this country's freedom, been to jail or sacrificed their lives for it?... (PM) Narendra Modi was born in free India, while I at least was born 12 days ahead of Independence; these people today, preach us about patriotism and independence," he said.
"Theirs (BJP/RSS) is a complete drama, Modi is a great dramatist...we should expose these fake patriots, only Congress has morality...we should inform people and make them aware," he added.
State Congress chief D K Shivakumar, citing the Enforcement Directorate's action against his party leadership in the National Herald cases, said, there is an "undeclared emergency" in the country.
He said the Congress was the "true inheritor" of the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and India's freedom struggle, as he accused the BJP government of "trying to change history and insulting the national flag and anthem".
The Karnataka Congress has decided to take out a mega foot march carrying the tricolour from the Sangolli Rayanna Circle to the National College ground in Basavanagudi on August 15, in which, according to the party, at least one lakh people are likely to take part. Similar marches are being organised by the party across the state.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
