Priyank Kharge says RSS not above law, asks ‘How long will this go on?’

BENGALURU: State Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday reiterated his demand for barring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, stating that the organisation is “not above the law and Constitution.”

Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, “RSS is not above the law and Constitution. How long will this go on? Every citizen and organisation in the country must be accountable.”

The Minister had earlier urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to prohibit RSS activities in government institutions, alleging that the organisation was “brainwashing young minds” and promoting a “philosophy against the Constitution.”

Further, taking a dig at BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, Kharge questioned his contribution to Bengaluru’s IT development. “Tejasvi Surya has contributed zero to the development of Bengaluru in the field of IT. Can he name one project that he or BJP MPs from Bengaluru have brought in? Why are semiconductor industries going to Assam and Gujarat when they want to come to Bengaluru? What is there in Gujarat and Assam? Is there talent there?” Kharge said.

Meanwhile, responding to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who had recently defended Bengaluru’s tunnel project and called Surya “an empty vessel”, the BJP MP said that the city’s development must rise above political rivalries.

“Bengaluru’s future cannot be shaped by political ego clashes but by a shared vision for sustainable development,” Surya said.

He added that his opposition to the proposed tunnel road project stemmed from concerns about its environmental and infrastructural impact. “Our opposition to the tunnel road is not just restricted to the damage it will cause to Lalbagh and Sankey Tank, but to the whole of the city. The project will worsen traffic in Bengaluru and not address the core issue, which is reducing private vehicles and increasing public transport,” Surya told reporters. (ANI)