Dalit organizations, enraged by BJP leaders’ comments on Priyank Kharge, staged a violent protest in Kalaburagi, demanding a ban on the RSS and the removal of Mohan Bhagwat’s security.
Karnataka: Kalaburagi witnessed massive protests on Thursday. The Dalit Sanghatanegala Samanvaya Samiti (DSS) and several other Dalit organizations staged a strong protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The protest was directed at recent comments made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders against state minister Priyank Kharge.
Priyanka Kharge had raised some questions about the status and functioning of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The protesters say that BJP leaders should have responded rationally to the issues raised by Kharge. Instead, they launched personal attacks on the minister and are threatening him.
The protesters categorically stated that the statements made against Kharge by BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi and former ministers K.S. Eshwarappa and C.T. Ravi were highly objectionable. They believed these leaders’ statements were completely insulting and intimidating.
Dalit organizations have appealed to the state government to take this entire incident seriously. They stated that democratic values and freedom of expression must be protected at all costs.
Recently, Kharge wrote a letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, seeking clarification regarding the organization’s registration and its stated objectives. The protesters defended this move, stating that these questions were being asked in the interest of public accountability and transparency, and not to target any particular individual.
These organizations have called on the state government and the Congress party to extend their full support to Priyank Kharge. They reiterated their demand for a thorough investigation into the functioning of the RSS, stating that there is a severe lack of transparency in its structure. They also demanded that the organization be registered under a proper regulatory framework.
Protesters formed a human chain outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi to register their protest. They raised slogans, expressing solidarity with Kharge and demanding the registration of the RSS.
Participants held placards bearing strong messages, including “Ban the RSS,” “The RSS must be registered,” “Withdraw RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Z-plus security,” and “We stand with Priyank Kharge.”
Following the protest, the organizations submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar through the Deputy Commissioner. The memorandum urged the state government to examine the legal status of the RSS and take appropriate steps to uphold constitutional values and social harmony.
The entire protest was led by social activists Devendra Sinnur, Mallappa Hosamani, Renuka Singhe, Dinesh Doddamani, and several other members of various organizations.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News