Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Bengaluru, Oct 18 (IANS) Civic authorities and police in Karnataka on Saturday removed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) posters, banners, saffron flags and flags in Chittapur town and Chamarajanagar town, citing lack of mandatory prior permission for public events.
The eviction took place ahead of the scheduled ‘Path Sanchalan’ (foot march) program organized by the RSS.
The action follows the recent decision of the Karnataka Cabinet, making it mandatory for all private organizations to obtain prior government permission to organize events at public places across the state. The march in Chittapur falls under the assembly constituency represented by RDPR, IT and BT minister Priyank Kharge, who had earlier written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanding a ban on RSS activities in public areas.
Civic officials and police removed banners and saffron flags on the main roads of Chittapur town early Saturday. In Chamarajanagar town, where the RSS foot march was scheduled for 3 pm, saffron flags were also removed following protests by Dalit organisations.
Reacting to the developments in Bengaluru, Minister Priyank Kharge said, “The RSS flag is not the national flag. A BJP leader even threatened to break into houses and attack. Are we expected to turn a blind eye to such threats?”
He said, “I will lodge a complaint with the police. By organizing these foot marches they are not challenging me; they are challenging the law. If they claim they will not follow the law in future, what will happen then?”
Kharge further said, “We believed that the RSS workers were well-behaved, but with the kind of language they used, they have exposed themselves. Since they had not taken the necessary permissions, all their banners and flags were removed.”
On BJP leaders’ comments that they would continue to organize RSS events in Karnataka like before, Kharge on Friday said legal action would be taken if the rules were not followed.
Following Kharge’s letter urging a ban on RSS activities in such areas, the Karnataka government has made it mandatory for all organizations to seek prior permission before organizing events in public places.
In its cabinet meeting on Thursday, the state government decided that all private organizations will have to take permission from government officials before organizing events in public places across Karnataka.
Opposition leader R. BJP leaders, including Ashok, have challenged the order, declaring that RSS programs will continue as usual and challenging the government to take action against them.
BJP MLA SR Vishwanath also urged party leaders and workers to set the RSS anthem Namaste Sada Vatsale as their mobile ringtone.
–IANS
MKA/SNJ/SKP