Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah Advises People To Avoid Company Of 'Sanatanis', Remain Cautious Of RSS

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday advised the people to avoid the company of 'Sanatanis' and remain cautious of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The chief minister emphasised the right-wing organisation has always opposed social reformer and freedom fighter BR Ambedkar and the Constitution he framed. Siddaramaiah further advised the people to associate themselves with the progressive forces, further suggesting they stay away from the people following blind faith.

“Keep your company right. Associate with those who stand for society, not with those who oppose social change or with 'sanatanis',” Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI. While referring to the recent incident in which a lawyer threw a shoe at the Chief Justice of India (CJI), BR Gavai, the chief minister stated that the act should be criticised by every section of the society.

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“The fact that a 'sanatani' threw a shoe at the Chief Justice shows that 'sanatanis' and orthodox elements still exist in society. This act should be condemned not just by Dalits but by everyone. Only then can we say that society is moving on the path of change,” he asserted. He further stated that the people associated with the RSS opposed Ambedkar and his vision for the society.

“They are spreading lies that the Congress defeated Ambedkar in the elections. But the truth is what Ambedkar himself wrote in his own handwriting – ‘Savarkar and Dange defeated me.’ Such truths must be placed before society to expose the falsehoods of the Sangh Parivar,” Siddaramaiah stated.

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Earlier on Saturday, a political row erupted after the BJP slammed Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge over the removal of RSS' publicity material in the Kalaburagi district ahead of a major event. However, Kharge alleged RSS had not taken permission for the program.