Hours after IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge shared a video of a threatening phone call, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara confirmed that the state government has ordered an investigation into the matter. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at Sadashivanagar police station under the Central Division in Bengaluru.
The incident came to light after Priyank Kharge released a 2.12-minute video on Wednesday showing an unidentified man, who claimed affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), verbally abusing him in Hindi. The video reportedly captures the caller questioning Kharge’s proposal to restrict RSS activities in government premises before launching into abusive language.
Government response and FIR registration
Home minister G Parameshwara assured that authorities are taking the incident seriously. “We will find out who threatened the minister. We will identify the source,” he said. He added, “A minister has the right to share his opinions. Threatening him for this is unacceptable. Action will be taken. Though tracking callers is difficult, we will crack this case.”
The FIR marks the first formal step in the investigation, as the state police work to identify the caller and trace the origins of the threats.
Minister’s account of abuse and threats
Priyank Kharge stated that the threatening call was part of a continuous stream of abusive and intimidating messages targeting him and his family. He said, “I had said RSS is polluting minds of youth and children. Here is an example of what that pollution looks like. This is just a sample from the continuous stream of threats and abusive calls I have been receiving for the past few days.”
In the video, Kharge challenges the caller, questioning whether the abusive behaviour was learned at RSS shakhas. He described the threats as an attempt to intimidate him and said the perpetrators were unlikely to succeed. “If they think threats and abuses will unsettle me, that is their illusion. For me, politics is not just about power, it is ideological — people-centric politics that seeks to rescue innocent youth from a vicious cycle of poison,” the minister said.
Criticism of BJP and RSS
Kharge also criticised certain BJP functionaries, naming BY Vijayendra, R Ashoka, CT Ravi, V Sunil Kumar, Pratap Simmha, and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. He said, “Would these leaders approve if similar abuses were hurled at the mothers of Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat?” He emphasised that while children of political leaders have opportunities to shape their futures, vulnerable youth are being manipulated into threatening and abusive behaviour.
He further stated, “If I file a complaint, it may harm the life of the individual caller, but those who pushed him into such a mindset will face no consequences.”
Minister’s broader message
Priyank Kharge described his struggle as a fight “against the filthy mindset that the RSS is spreading, against the vile forces that brainwash innocent minds and corrupt their thinking.” He urged society to rehabilitate those influenced by such ideologies through education and awareness. “We must bring back those who have become foot soldiers of RSS by introducing them to the enlightened thoughts of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar,” he added.
Conclusion
The state government’s prompt response and FIR registration indicate the seriousness of the matter. While investigations are ongoing, the incident highlights the growing concern over intimidation and threats against public representatives in Karnataka. Authorities are expected to trace the caller and hold the perpetrators accountable while ensuring the safety of the minister and his family.