‘RSS shouldn’t be allowed to carry lathis during route march’

The Kalaburagi district unit of the Sauhardya Karnataka Vedike has urged the State government not to permit the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to take out its pathasanchalana (route march) carrying lathis.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Monday, vedike members K. Neela, Meenakshi Bali and Arjun Bhadre said that the High Court, on Friday, directed the district administration to hold a meeting with the RSS and other organisations on Tuesday and submit a report to it.

They urged the district administration to instruct the RSS to carry the national flag instead of lathis during its proposed pathasanchalana in Chittapur on November 2, provided the court grants permission.

“RSS volunteers should replace their lathis with the national flag, carry a copy of the Constitution and raise slogans condemning Nathuram Godse during the march,” said Ms. Neela and Ms. Bali.

Ms. Neela further said that RSS volunteers marching with lathis in their hands create fear among the public, particularly children, and it appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt communal harmony.

She also said that some RSS leaders have recently made provocative statements, urging Hindus to keep swords and knives at home for self-defence.

“During the recent Dussehra celebrations, RSS volunteers were even seen displaying swords,” she claimed and added that such acts can disturb communal peace.

Ms. Neela urged the district administration to deal firmly with the organisation if it fails to act in accordance with the Constitution.

Mr. Bhadre said that RSS supporters have issued threats and made vulgar remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge and his family members. He warned that the Minister’s supporters are angry over these developments and hence, granting permission for the RSS pathasanchalana in Chittapur will be inappropriate.