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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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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