'No organisation should disturb people in public places': CM Siddaramaiah on curbing RSS activities; Priyank Kharge urges strict action

NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah reiterating his stance on restricting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government spaces , said that “no organisation should disturb people in public places.”

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Siddaramaiah said, as quoted by ANI, “Action has been taken in Tamil Nadu . We will examine it and take further action.” His remarks came in response to questions about proposals to curb RSS activities across the state.

Also read: Study Tamil Nadu curbs on RSS: Siddaramaiah to chief secretary

The chief minister’s comments came days after Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge called for a ban on RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples. Kharge had accused the organisation of “brainwashing young minds” and promoting a “philosophy against the Constitution,” as quoted by ANI.

Following his remarks, Kharge said he had been receiving threat calls. “Yesterday, when I said that they are trying to intimidate me, the BJP said it was a publicity stunt. My fight is against the ideology. This ideology took the life of Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.

Earlier, in a post on X, Kharge revealed that he had been receiving threatening and abusive phone calls. “For the past two days, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Calls filled with threats, intimidation and the filthiest abuse directed at me and my family, simply because I dared to question and restrain RSS activities in government schools, colleges and public institutions,” he wrote.

Also read: ‘Calls filled with threats…’: Priyank Kharge receives abuse over RSS remarks; urges govt to eliminate 'dangerous virus'

Meanwhile, addressing questions about the long-pending local body elections and a possible cabinet reshuffle, Siddaramaiah said the government is ready to conduct elections once the courts give the go-ahead.

“The government is ready to hold elections to all local bodies, including Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat. We will hold elections as soon as the court orders. All elections will be held in phases. Democracy is strengthened through elections,” he said.

On the issue of cabinet changes, the CM added, “Let the elections be over first, then we will see.”