Mangaluru
Opposition Chief Whip in the Legislative Council N Ravikumar has demanded the expulsion of IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge from the Karnataka Cabinet, accusing him of making derogatory remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Calling Kharge an “ignorant and arrogant person,” Ravikumar alleged that the minister was “filled with arrogance of power” and lacked understanding of the RSS, which he described as “the number one patriotic organisation in the country.”
“The RSS has been awakening youth across India and abroad, fostering patriotism and providing service during floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters,” he said, adding that the organisation had produced two prime ministers and earned appreciation from former Congress leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Ravikumar also questioned the Congress government’s selective targeting of organisations, urging it to act against groups “linked to terror activities” such as SDPI instead of calling for a ban on the RSS. “The RSS members use sticks for self-defence. How can it be illegal?” he asked.
He further claimed that Gandhi and Ambedkar had visited RSS shakhas to study its activities and challenged Priyank Kharge to visit one “to learn about its operations and transparency.”
Ravikumar also reminded that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had once sung the RSS anthem in the Assembly. “Will he be expelled too?” he asked, challenging the government to “ban the RSS and face the consequences.”
