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Bengaluru, Oct 28 (IANS) A peace meeting called by the Kalaburagi district administration on Tuesday to resolve the dispute over the proposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) foot march in Chittapur town – which was represented by minister Priyank Kharge – ended without any consensus among the participating organisations.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarnum and Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu, was held following directions from the Karnataka High Court, which had asked the government to facilitate the discussion and submit a report on the issue by October 30.
Authorities allowed three representatives from each of 11 organisations, including the RSS and several community groups, to participate. The purpose of the session was to resolve the matter amicably, as several groups had sought permission to hold processions and foot marches in Chittapur on 2 November – the same day the RSS proposed to hold its centenary march.
The Dalit organizations said they would withdraw their application only if the RSS agreed to carry the national flag and the Preamble of the Constitution instead of sticks and the saffron flag during the foot march.
Sources said the meeting saw strong differences of opinion among the participants, with several organizations expressing opposition to holding the procession simultaneously in the same city. Despite efforts by the district administration to reach a middle ground, the talks failed to yield any agreement, forcing officials to prepare a detailed report to submit to the High Court.
After the meeting, tension increased for some time as members of some organizations protested and raised slogans. However, the situation was brought under control with the intervention of the police.
The peace meeting followed an earlier direction by the Dharwad bench of the High Court to the government to hold a discussion and report on the outcome. The bench, while hearing several petitions on Friday, had sought a response from the government before hearing the matter again on October 30.
The RSS had approached the High Court challenging the denial of permission by the district authorities to hold its centenary year foot march in Chittapur. The court had later directed the organization to file a fresh application for permission to organize the event on November 2.
Subsequently, several other organizations including Bhim Army, Dalit Panthers, Kuruba community groups and others also submitted applications to organize processions and marches on the same date, raising security concerns in the district.
A high court bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna had earlier said that the matter should not be prolonged and it should be resolved amicably through administrative negotiations. The court also advised the government to take this issue as an opportunity to demonstrate administrative efficiency and maintain law and order.
The Deputy Commissioner is now expected to submit a comprehensive report on the status of the peace meeting and the district administration before the High Court by October 30.
Meanwhile, police have maintained strict vigil in Chittapur and surrounding areas ahead of the scheduled date of the foot march. Senior officials said adequate arrangements are being made to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident.
The next hearing of the case will be held by the Kalaburagi bench of the Karnataka High Court on October 30.
–IANS
MKA/PGH