CM Siddaramaiah slams BJP-RSS, says they have never believed in social justice
_vb_22.webp)
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a sharp attack on the BJP and RSS, stating that they have never believed in social justice. Speaking to reporters at Tubinakere helipad in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, he alleged that the Sangh Parivar has opposed every step taken for social justice over the past century, starting from the Miller Commission during Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar's era.
"The RSS, completing 100 years in 2025, has never supported reservations," Siddaramaiah said, accusing them of consistently opposing affirmative action.
Addressing the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, the Chief Minister confirmed that police have been directed to arrest the culprits and take strict legal action. He emphasised the sanctity of human life and said he has instructed the ADGP (Law and Order) to visit the crime scene and conduct a thorough investigation.
When questioned about BJP leaders visiting the murder site, Siddaramaiah said the party often uses such incidents for political mileage. He pointed out that BJP remained silent on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 people were killed, and questioned why Prime Minister Modi did not visit the site.
Calling the Pahalgam incident a serious security lapse, the CM noted that not a single police or security personnel was deployed in the high-tourist area, which raises alarming concerns.
In response to a query on threats received by Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, Siddaramaiah revealed that he too has received similar threats and has directed police to investigate and act.
Reiterating the Congress Party’s long-standing demand, Siddaramaiah stressed the need for a comprehensive caste census, including socio-economic and educational indicators. He credited Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge for pressuring the Centre to agree to a caste-based census.
He urged the government to announce a timeline for the survey and implement the recommendations of the Justice Rohini Commission. Furthermore, Siddaramaiah advocated for amending the Constitution to increase the 50% reservation cap and extend quotas to the private sector.
“Reservation is essential and unavoidable for the socially, economically, and educationally backward sections,” he asserted. “A truly egalitarian society is possible only when every citizen becomes socially and economically empowered.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Centre spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print media ads for RSS centenary, reveals RTI
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Culture allegedly spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print advertisements marking the 100-year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
The information was sought by RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose, who filed an application seeking details on expenditure incurred by the ministry for advertisements commemorating the RSS centenary.
Bose shared a picture of the reply from the ministry on his official ‘X’ handle.
“It is informed that an amount of Rs 76,13,129 has been spent on advertisement given in various print media by the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the completion of 100 years of RSS,” the government’s reply stated.
RTI reply shows Min of Culture Govt of India spent a Whopping Rs 76L,13K,129 on Advertisement in Print Media on occasion of 100 yrs of #RSS
— AJAY Basudev Bose (@AjayBos93388306) April 16, 2026
When Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??@RSSorg… pic.twitter.com/dW4IUtdNCg
Bose questioned the expenditure in the post X, “when Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??”
Reacting to the development, Karnataka’s IT-BT and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge also criticised the spending.
In a post on X, he asked why public money was being used for what he described as a “private ideological project.”
"Modi Sarkar spent Rs 76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS. Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to celebrate their centenary?," he added.
Why is public money being used to serve a private ideological project?
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) April 16, 2026
Modi Sarkar spent ₹76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS.
Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to… pic.twitter.com/EoZ6Pim3IM
According to reports, the RSS describes itself as a volunteer-based organisation and has stated that it functions as a body of individuals rather than a registered entity.
Founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925, the organisation is marking its centenary year beginning from Vijaydashami in 2025, with the milestone observed on October 2.
