BJP government did not ban RSS activities: Jagadish Shettar

Belagavi: Karnataka MP Jagadish Shettar said that the state government has not been coming forward to ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) but only making noises against it as the ban will not withstand legal scrutiny and banning of any organisation comes under the purview of the Centre.

BJP while in power did not ban RSS activities in school premises in the year 2013 as claimed by the Congress government, but Education Department had given its opinion in a letter regarding a particular school in Bengaluru.

Shettar told reporters here on Saturday that Ministers Priyank Kharge, Dinesh Gundurao and other Congress leaders were attempting to create impression that BJP had decided to ban RSS activities in the premises of schools.

In the year 2013 in connection with a letter by the private school, Education Department had asked the school to use its premises for academic and extracurricular activities.

Congress if wants to ban it should take a decision. Cabinet meet held recently discussed the issue, but did not decide. Kharge if wants to ban RSS, why were the orders not issued.

Kharge was immature and his activities will destroy Congress. It appears that days of Congress were numbered. RSS has been involved in nation building and any action against it will spell doom for Congress, he cautioned.

It appears to be Tughlaq rule in the state and emergency like situation has been prevailing. RSS offices in Bengaluru and Hubballi were being targetted. Its an attempt to disturb peace, he expressed.

Shettar defended the remarks of Kadsiddeshwar Swamiji of Kaneri Mutt. He said, its natural slangs of the North Karnataka region. Anybody if feels hurt, could prosecute or file defamation case against the seer for his remarks, but his entry being banned was not acceptable.

Kannada and Marathi speaking people were living with harmony, but its leaders of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti who were creating hatred among them by observing Karnataka Rajyotsava as black day and other anti-state events.

All Marathi speaking people were not with the pro-Maharashtra outfit. Even in many places in Maharashtra, Kannada speaking people celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava. Black day and other such events have been affecting development of the city, he said.