Mangaluru: Former minister and senior Congress leader B Ramanath Rai on Thursday expressed support for minister Priyank Kharge’s stance on banning RSS activities in public spaces, saying the move aligns with the principles of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who had twice banned the organisation.

“The Congress is not a Savarkar party; it is the party of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who banned the RSS twice. The government will take appropriate action regarding Minister Priyank Kharge’s request,” Rai told reporters.

‘RSS spreading discord among children’

Rai alleged that RSS activities were “sowing seeds of discord” among schoolchildren and called for firm action to maintain communal harmony. “When the topic of a ban arises, we stand by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s ideologies,” he said, while condemning threats issued against Priyank Kharge over his remarks.

He further claimed that the RSS was partly responsible for disturbing communal peace in society and demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe all religion-based murders in Dakshina Kannada district. “Such an investigation would expose the masterminds behind the killings and reveal the true colours of the RSS,” he said.

Questions BJP’s stand on religion

Referring to the murder of Harish Poojary on Tipu Jayanti in Bantwal, Rai questioned the silence of the BJP and RSS over the issue. “The BJP and RSS make a show of religion, God, and patriotism, but their faith is not genuine—they are only interested in votes, even at the cost of their own people,” he alleged.

Citing Rahul Gandhi’s statement that those who fear the RSS should not be in the Congress, Rai said the party must continue to strengthen its ideological position.

Responds to BJP MLC’s claim

Responding to BJP MLC Ravikumar’s claim that the RSS receives funding from Congress members, Rai dismissed the remark, saying that “a large number of Congress workers and leaders are loyal to the party’s values.”

He added, “Ravikumar lacks understanding of political history. He should first learn about the struggles and sacrifices of his predecessors within the system.”

Congress leaders Shashidhar Hegde, M G Hegde, and others were also present during the press interaction.