RSS undermining institutions, trying to take over education system: Rahul
New Delhi, Sep 22 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the BJP and the RSS of undermining the institutions like the Supreme Court, Election Commission and said that it was trying to take over the education system.
Interacting with college and university teachers from nearly 20 states as part of the party's outreach campaign, he slammed Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat over his three-day conclave, 'Future of Bharat: An RSS Perspective' and asked "who are you to organise whole nation?"
"Their agenda is: Let us capture all institutions of the country and let us capture sone ki chidiya (the golden bird) with a bypass surgery," Gandhi said.
He said that the educational institutions, the Supreme Court, the Election Commission, were being systematically captured by the BJP and RSS.
"But they (the BJP and the RSS) will not succeed," he said.
He claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS wanted to install their people at the institutions of higher learning to curb dissent and make money.
"The RSS vision of India, like (BJP President) Amit Shah said, is that of a golden bird. They view it as a product and how it is to be utilised. They decide on who utilises it," he said.
He said they are fighting the "attempted capture" of the golden bird by the RSS and have understood clearly electoral battle for them.
Slamming Bhagwat for his comments over organising the whole nation, the Congress chief said, "Bhagwat in his speech has said they are going to organise the whole nation. Who are you to organise the whole nation, Bhagwat? The nation will organise itself."
"Are you some God that you are going to organise the nation of 1.3 crore billion people? Cannot you understand how arrogant you are? Do you think the nation is going to sit there and get organised by you?
"It is a fantasy which will be smashed in the next couple of months," he said.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
