Heated exchange between BJP and Priyank Kharge over Bill ‘targeting’ RSS

The BJP and Home Minister Priyank Kharge engaged in a heated exchange over a proposed Karnataka Bill, which the saffron party claims indirectly targets the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Bill mandates private associations to seek permission to use public spaces, leading to a clash between BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra and Kharge.

Vijayendra accused the Home Minister of trying to ban the RSS, to which Kharge responded by questioning whether the RSS was a terrorist or underworld organization. Kharge, confident of his constitutional protection, reaffirmed his right to speak freely. He also challenged Vijayendra to ban the RSS if he had the courage, stating that the RSS had previously thrived despite being banned.

Opposition Leader R. Ashok posed a question to Vijayendra about the potential consequences of his focus solely on targeting the RSS, if the Assembly term ended in one-and-a-half years. Kharge countered this by questioning Ashok's implication that one cannot leave their house if taking on the RSS. He said those anxious about the Bill were likely guilty of something.

Kharge concluded by implying that any anxiety over the Bill would only affect those guilty of something, while questioning Vijayendra's motives for targeting the RSS.