RSS March Controversy: Siddaramaiah Targets Sanatanis

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is back at the center of a political storm after he slammed the RSS, and people he calls ‘sanatanis’. His remarks have created a heated tussle today between Congress and the BJP. It increased political tension in the state. The issue arises in relation to a dispute over permission for RSS route marches. It has been restricted by the Karnataka government has recently.

Firm Statements From Siddaramaiah Targeting RSS and Sanatanis

In a speech marking the silver jubilee celebrations of Mysore University, Siddaramaiah urged the audience to ‘surround themselves with the right kind of people’. He told them not to associate with anyone who is against social reform and constitutional values. He blamed the RSS and its affiliated groups in the Sangh Parivar for being resistant to the creator of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

“Be around those who want society to progress, not those who resist progress or are sanatanis,” the CM stated.

Linking the shoe throw incident against the Chief Justice of India BR Gavai to the social and cultural climate of the current times. Siddaramaiah said it was done by a sanatani and noted the persistent presence of orthodox and reactionary assignments in society. “This needs to be condemned by everyone—not just the Dalits,” he said. “Then we can say society has truly moved toward progress.”

BJP Retaliation: An Attempt to Distract Politically

The BJP reacted quickly, claiming Congress was “deliberately targeting” the RSS to distract from Congress’s failures in governance. Senior BJP member and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi commented on the Karnataka High Court order. It was regarding an RSS path march to be held in the district of Chittapur. Here the local officials turned down the RSS request.

Furthermore, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka lashed out. He stated that the Congress never runs out of “unwanted controversies” regarding the RSS to distract from industrial decline and lack of infrastructure.

“The Congress supports those who praise Pakistan and who are against those who shout Bharat Mata Ki Jai. What happens to the RSS will be a negative consequence. The Congress has to understand what the RSS actually does.”

Ashoka also added that there were no limitations/restrictions on an organization under the BJP. He encouraged Congress to act in the same democratic manner.

Congress Stands Firm: Stressing Law and Order

Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge defended the state’s action when denying permission for the RSS march, based on law and order concerns in Chittapur, Kharge’s constituency. He stated, it was to note “The High Court did not rule in favor of the RSS, it merely told them to apply again,” Kharge said.

Kharge stated that the government did a recent reversal to make all groups apply to use public space in advance to increase public safety and not to single one group out; however, it has brought many to assume that the government was trying to curtail RSS activities in the state.

JD(S) Joins the Fray

As if to escalate the political conflict, JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused Congress of “raking up” the RSS issue to distract the public from the actual issues, claimed that the government was using the RSS issue as a political tool to distract people from governance issues.

A Deepening Political Divide in Karnataka

The friction resulting from the RSS anti-political rally, and Siddaramaiah’s comments on sanatanis have deepened the political gulf in Karnataka. The kerfuffle has illustrated the ideological differences between Congress and BJP on issues of secularism, nationalism, and associational freedom.

With both sides flinging accusations at one another, the drama shows no signs of abating and Karnataka politics becomes positioned on ever-further distant sides. As the BJP embraces the ideals of cultural and nationalism, Congress advocates constitutionalism and social justice.

Meanwhile, the people of Karnataka are watching the squabble unfold, looking for the government and stability found in the recent news updates surrounding the political kerfuffle in recent weeks.