Political Storm in Karnataka: Priyank Kharge, B K Hariprasad Demand Ban on RSS; Yatnal Fires Back, Calls Move ‘Intellectual Bankruptcy’

Bengaluru: A fresh political clash has erupted in Karnataka on the eve of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Founders’ Day celebrations in Bengaluru, after senior Congress leaders Priyank Kharge and B.K. Hariprasad called for a ban on RSS activities across the state. Their remarks have triggered sharp reactions from the BJP and its expelled leader Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who accused Kharge of “intellectual bankruptcy” and defended the RSS as a patriotic organisation loved even by its critics.

On Sunday, Priyank Kharge, the state’s Rural Development and IT Minister, wrote a formal letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the government to take steps to restrict RSS gatherings in public spaces. In his letter, Kharge alleged that RSS shakhas held in government grounds, temples, and parks were “instilling divisive and aggressive ideologies” in the minds of children.

“The RSS conducts its drills without police permission, displaying lathis and exhibiting aggressive attitudes that negatively influence young minds,” Kharge wrote, adding that such practices undermine “the spirit of unity and integrity of the nation.” He urged the Chief Minister to prohibit the organisation from using public or government-managed spaces, including those under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Supporting Kharge’s stance, senior Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad went a step further, comparing RSS’s public activities to “terrorist behaviour.” He asserted, “The wielding of lathis and swords by RSS workers in public is nothing short of terrorism. The Congress had already included the proposal to ban RSS and Bajrang Dal in its election manifesto — and the time has come to implement it.”

However, the statement did not go unanswered. Expelled BJP leader Basangouda Patil Yatnal swiftly hit back, defending the RSS and criticising the Congress’s move as “politically motivated.” In a strong-worded statement, Yatnal said, “The contents of Priyank Kharge’s letter reflect his intellectual bankruptcy. No one can ban the RSS — not even its strongest opponents. Its volunteers have always served selflessly during natural disasters and accidents, earning admiration even from critics.”

Yatnal further took a personal dig at Kharge, saying, “Instead of targeting RSS, Priyank Kharge should focus on developing his home district, Kalaburagi, which remains one of the most backward regions of Karnataka even 70 years after independence.”

Echoing Yatnal’s criticism, former minister and BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar reminded Kharge of history, noting that even former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had failed to impose a permanent ban on the RSS. “Kharge should learn from history before making such statements,” Kumar said.