Priyank Kharge alleges threats after urging ban on RSS activities in govt premises
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge has alleged receiving multiple threatening phone calls and abusive messages following his recent demand to restrain the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in government-run institutions.
In a post on X, Kharge stated that he and his family have been subjected to harassment over the past two days. He said he was “neither shaken nor surprised” by the intimidation tactics, adding, “When the RSS didn’t spare Mahatma Gandhi or Babasaheb Ambedkar, why would they spare me?” He asserted that such threats and “personal jibes” would not silence him.
The controversy began after Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging a ban on RSS shakhas (branches) and related activities within government schools, colleges, and public premises. In his letter, Kharge accused the RSS of spreading “negative thoughts” among students and promoting an ideology that contradicts the secular and democratic principles of the Constitution.
His remarks have triggered sharp criticism from the opposition BJP, which accused him of engaging in a “publicity stunt” and showing “foolishness.” Responding to the backlash, Kharge reiterated his stance, declaring, “This has just begun.” He called for building a society based on the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna, and Babasaheb Ambedkar — one grounded in “equality, reason, and compassion” — to, as he put it, “purge this nation of the most dangerous viRuSS.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has acknowledged receipt of Kharge’s letter and has reportedly directed the Chief Secretary to examine the issue and take suitable action. The state government is said to be studying the legal feasibility of such a move, drawing reference from a similar framework implemented in Tamil Nadu.
For the past two days, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Calls filled with threats, intimidation and the filthiest abuse directed at me and my family, simply because I dared to question and restrain RSS activities in government schools, colleges and public institutions.
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) October 14, 2025
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Rupee falls 9 paise to all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): Rupee depreciated 9 paise to an all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade on Monday, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows.
Forex traders said rupee is trading with a negative bias as investors are in wait and watch mode and awaiting cues from the India-US trade deal front.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.53 against the US dollar, then fell further to an all-time intraday low of 90.58 against the greenback, registering a fall of 9 paise over its previous close.
On Friday, the rupee had slipped 17 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.49 against the American currency.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.05 per cent lower at 98.35.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.52 per cent at USD 61.44 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading 298.86 points lower at 84,968.80, while the Nifty was down 121.40 points at 25,925.55.
Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 1,114.22 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue to be in selling mode in equity and debt while RBI has been selling dollars to fund their long positions," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
