Priyank Kharge’s call to ban RSS activities on government premises sparks social media spat with BJP
Bengaluru: A political row erupted on social media after Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities on government premises, accusing the organisation of spreading divisive ideology through its programmes.
In his official letter, Kharge alleged that the RSS conducts ‘shakhas’ and gatherings in government schools, playgrounds, and temples, promoting an ideology that, he claimed, was unconstitutional and against the spirit of national unity. He urged the Chief Minister to prohibit RSS events on government property, asserting that such activities violate secular principles and undermine constitutional values.
Reacting to Kharge’s statement, the BJP Karnataka unit shared an old photograph of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge attending an RSS event in Nagavara, Bengaluru, in 2002. Posting the image on its official X handle, the party wrote in Kannada, “Look here, @PriyankKharge! Your father personally visited the camp, appreciated the RSS’ social service activities, and extended full cooperation. Are you putting on an act today to impress the high command?”
Responding sharply, Priyank Kharge dismissed the post as BJP’s propaganda, clarifying that his father, then serving as Home Minister of Karnataka, had visited the venue only to ensure law and order during the RSS event.
“He had come with the then Police Commissioner of Bangalore City, Sri. Sangliana. If you recall correctly, he made it clear: either abide by the law of the land or be prepared to face the consequences,” the minister wrote on his personal X account on Monday.
Dear dimwits at @BJP4Karnataka, in case your memory fails you,
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) October 13, 2025
Sri. Kharge ji was the Home Minister at the time.
He visited the RSS event site after chairing a peace committee meeting with officials and representatives of all communities, to caution your people against… https://t.co/UJqZpgAQd6
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
