Minister Priyank Kharge alleges abuse, threats over demand to ban RSS events in public places
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge has accused supporters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of sending him abusive and threatening messages following his call for a ban on RSS programmes in public spaces and government premises.
Kharge had recently written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the state to prohibit RSS activities in public places, alleging that the organisation spreads “divisive ideology” among youth. In a post on his personal ‘X’ account on Tuesday, he said he had been receiving threat calls and messages ever since the letter became public.
On Wednesday morning, Kharge released a video message questioning whether trainees at the RSS’s shakhas (branches) were being taught to verbally abuse others’ mothers and sisters. “Are BJP leaders like B.Y. Vijayendra, R. Ashoka, C.T. Ravi, V. Sunil Kumar, Pratap Simha and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy ready to endorse similar abuse directed at the mothers of Prime Minister Modi or Mohan Bhagwat?” he asked.
Kharge said the abusive messages were being sent mostly by young men from economically weaker backgrounds, claiming they were being “used” by the RSS. “While the children of BJP leaders are building their future, those from poor families are being pushed into such abusive acts. If I file a case, the young man who sent the message will suffer, while those who instigated him will remain unaffected,” he said in the video.
The minister clarified that his opposition was not against any individual but against what he termed a “malignant mindset” that must be countered through the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. “My fight is not against a person but against a toxic mentality. The youth who have fallen prey to this mindset must be rescued,” he said.
Rejecting attempts to intimidate him, Kharge said he would not be deterred by abuse or threats. “My political struggle is not about power but about philosophy. I will continue to speak out against the RSS mindset and protect the youth from falling into its trap,” he added.
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Indian Navy vigilant in safeguarding country's maritime interests: Prez Murmu
Visakhapatnam (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that the Indian Navy is vigilant in safeguarding country's maritime interests and is contributing to stability across wider maritime commerce.
Presiding over the International Fleet Review (IFR) off Vizag coast abroad an Indian Naval warship in the Bay of Bengal, the President said the Indian Navy is deployed in the region to serve as a credible instrument of deterrence and defence against threats and challenges arising in the sea.
"Indian Navy is vigilant in safeguarding India's maritime interests and is contributing to stability across wider maritime commerce," Murmu said.
Further, she noted that the Indian Navy plays a vital role in promoting goodwill and building bridges of trust, confidence and friendship with navies around the globe.
Murmu addressed the IFR after she sailed to review several Indian and foreign vessels.
