Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 19 (ANI): After Karnataka government’s recent directive regarding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s plea seeking permission for a centenary march in Chittapur, RSS leader Indresh Kumar on Sunday said that the judiciary will always remain the “protector of democracy”, asserting that every social, cultural and political group has the fundamental right to express their views.
Kumar also launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, alleging that they are “killing” democracy in the name of protecting it.
“The social, cultural, political and other institutions of the country have the fundamental right to express their views. Before Independence, this right was also there. It may happen that while protecting democracy, the Karnataka government may start killing democracy. Judiciary is, was and will remain the protector of the democracy,” Indresh Kumar told ANI.
His reaction comes after the Karnataka High Court asked the RSS to submit a fresh petition to hold a route march on November 2 in Chittapur in the state.
The High Court directed the petitioners to file a fresh petition to the District Collectors along with the route of the march.
While the Bhim Army and Dalit Panthers had also sought permission to protest, the High Court directed that separate time slots be allotted to both organisations, the RSS and the Bhim Army. The hearing has been adjourned to October 24.
The court was hearing a petition seeking permission for an RSS route march in the constituency of Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge, Chittapur.
Following the Karnataka High Court’s decision, Priyank Kharge alleged that the RSS had been quiet for a long time and suddenly requested permission for the march after he received abusive calls and death threats from their goons.
Speaking with ANI, he emphasised that abusing public representatives could embolden others to engage in similar behaviour. Priyank Kharge requested RSS to submit documents of their association and questioned why they chose to hold the march at this time.
“You should ask the RSS about the timing of the march. They kept quiet for so long, and suddenly, when I got abusive calls and death threats from their goons, they wanted to prove a point and do the march there themselves. If you’re going to abuse the public representative, other people and organisations will also be emboldened to do all these things. It’s my duty to ensure that nothing untoward happens,” he told ANI.
Kharge has also demanded a ban on RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples. He said that permissions should not be granted for activities outside the syllabus in government schools and colleges. (ANI)