Mangaluru: BJP leaders, including MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur and Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, on Tuesday strongly criticised Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge over his recent remarks on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing him of making politically motivated statements to divert public attention from the Congress government’s alleged failures.

Addressing reporters, Kishore Kumar Puttur said the Congress had no moral authority to question an organisation that has been involved in nation-building and character-building activities for nearly a century. He described Kharge’s comments on the RSS as the “height of ignorance and arrogance” and alleged that the minister was attempting to shift focus away from issues such as corruption, lack of development and alleged scams under the state government.

BJP defends RSS activities

Puttur maintained that the RSS is a lawful organisation that operates transparently and undergoes annual audits. He challenged the Home Minister to initiate legal proceedings if he possessed any evidence of wrongdoing by the organisation.

Highlighting the RSS’s activities in Karnataka, he claimed that the organisation currently runs 4,127 daily shakhas across the state. He further stated that RSS volunteers have organised 2,194 social outreach programmes involving nearly 19.6 lakh participants.

According to Puttur, the criticism directed at the RSS stems from the Congress party’s political strategy centred on minority appeasement and vote-bank politics. He urged the minister to focus on governance and address pressing public issues rather than targeting social organisations.

He also called upon the government to prioritise law and order, civic infrastructure and public welfare matters that directly affect citizens.

Vedavyas Kamath questions minister’s priorities

MLA D Vedavyas Kamath also criticised Priyank Kharge’s remarks, stating that it was unrealistic to believe that a century-old organisation could be controlled or weakened through political power.

Kamath said the newly appointed Home Minister should concentrate on addressing key challenges facing the state instead of engaging in political controversies. He pointed to concerns regarding SSLC and PUC examination results, inadequate infrastructure in educational institutions and incidents involving dilapidated school buildings.

The BJP legislator also expressed concern over the law and order situation in Karnataka and urged the government to focus on strengthening public administration and service delivery.

Allegations of vote-bank politics

Kamath further alleged that the criticism of the RSS was aimed at pleasing the Congress high command and accused the party of pursuing vote-bank politics.

Referring to the upcoming Davanagere byelection, he claimed that the Congress had intensified its criticism of the RSS to retain minority support. He also linked the development to political dissatisfaction within the party following the exclusion of former minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan from the cabinet, describing the situation as a reflection of political desperation.

The BJP leaders asserted that attempts to target the RSS for political reasons would not succeed and reiterated their support for the organisation’s activities and contributions to society.

Political debate continues

The latest exchange marks another chapter in the ongoing political debate between the BJP and Congress over the role and influence of the RSS. While BJP leaders continue to defend the organisation and its activities, Congress leaders have frequently questioned its ideology and political influence.

The issue is expected to remain a point of contention in Karnataka’s political landscape as both parties seek to consolidate support ahead of future electoral contests.