Govt to examine RSS 'role' in stoking Cauvery violence

The state government will examine if the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) had any role in stoking violence over the Cauvery issue in Bengaluru on September 12.

Speaking to reporters after presiding over the KPCC office-bearers meeting on Friday, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that during the meeting, a KPCC member wondered if the RSS had any role in instigating violence in the city.

He said the police had explored all angles during investigations and had no such suspicions on  the RSS’ role. However, his department would again look into the matter, he added. In his reaction, RSS Kshetreeya Sanghachalak V Nagaraj said that Parameshwara had the “malicious habit” of making immature charges against the RSS. 

Meanwhile, BJP state general secretary and MLA C T Ravi in a press note dubbed Parameshwara’s statement as “irresponsible” and “politically motivated.” He made a counter-charge that violence in Bengaluru on Monday was stage-managed by Parameshwara with an intention to unseat Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

 Ravi charged that Parameshwara suspects Siddaramaiah’s hand in his defeat from the Koratagere constituency in Tumakuru district in the 2013 Assembly elections and was keen on seeking revenge. 

On Cauvery 

Parameshwara said Karnataka would be “doomed” if the Supreme Court orders release of the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu beyond September 20. “If such a verdict is given, then I guess we will have no choice other than asking people of Bengaluru to go and settle down in Tamil Nadu,” he observed. He said Karnataka would impress upon the apex court on evolving a distress mechanism.