Bagalkote, 13 Oct

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he has directed the State Chief Secretary to examine Tamil Nadu's actions regarding a ban on RSS activities on government premises.

This comes after a letter from his Cabinet colleague and Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge calling for a Statewide ban on RSS activities in government institutions and public premises.

"(Priyank) has said that RSS was using government premises, and to do what the government in Tamil Nadu has done (to stop it). I have asked the Chief Secretary to verify and see what has been done in Tamil Nadu," Siddaramaiah told press.

In a letter to the Chief Minister dated 4 October, Priyank, son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, alleged that the RSS has been conducting its 'shakhas' in government and government-aided schools, as well as on public grounds, where "slogans are shouted and negative ideas are instilled in the minds of children and youth."

On Monday, Priyank continued to attack the RSS.

"This is a most secret organisation in the world. Why such a secrecy? Who are these people? Why should there be live telecast of RSS chief’s address? What is their contribution? Let them tell me 10 of their contributions in 100 years of their existence," he told a press conference. “How are they making Rs 300 crore to Rs 400 crore?”

Adding that he is not against the Hindu religion, Priyank said, "Its ideology does not have equality and does not accept our Constitution and insists for Manu Smriti."

Priyank also questioned the nationalism of RSS saying, "How can an organisation that had not hoisted tri-colour for several decades and refuses to accept Indian Constitution be called patriotic."