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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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
