Karnataka Set to Issue Orders to Curb RSS Activities in Public Places Including Marching on Roads

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Oct 16: The state cabinet of the Congress-ruled Karnataka on Thursday decided to issue an order for regulating activities of private and non-government organisations, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on public properties, including government and government-aided schools and colleges, public grounds, government-regulated temples, sites under the Archaeology Department, parks and any other government sites,

The order may also include ban on marching on the roads and holding events in public places and government premises.

This decision comes days after Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking a ban on RSS activities in public places, including school premises, parks, and playgrounds.

Briefing reporters about Cabinet decisions on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil said, “Public properties should not be trespassed. There are some laws in the State passed to protect public properties, but they are inadequate. The Government Order will give clarity on how the authorities should move and how they should go about granting permission. The order will be issued shortly.”

Mr Patil said the GO would elaborate on the mode for granting permission to private organisations to conduct activities as per the law. The Home Department would issue the order soon. Asked whether the government was particularly targeting the RSS, Mr Patil said, “In view of the present situation, we have taken a decision. The government’s intention is proper management and regulation of public properties.”

The government decision comes a few days after RSS celebrated its centenary across the country, including events and 100 route marches in Bengaluru.

On October 4, Mr Priyank Kharge had written to Mr Siddaramaiah seeking imposition of a ban on all RSS activities in government institutions and on public premises across Karnataka, stating that such actions were contrary to India’s unity and the spirit of the Constitution.

Seeking strong government intervention, Mr Kharge said, “In the interest of the well-being of the country’s children, youth, the public, and society as a whole, I earnestly request that a ban be imposed on all types of activities conducted by the RSS, whether under the name of shakha, sanghik, or baithak on the premises of government properties.”

Following this Mr Siddaramaiah had instructed the Chief Secretary to study measures taken by the neighbouring Tamil Nadu government to restrict the activities of the RSS there.

The Minister’s demand had elicited strong opposition from the BJP while also resulting in abusive messages and threat calls taregtting him and his family. The BJP lashed out at the decision, calling it part of a sustained, long-term campaign against the RSS. Party State president B.Y. Vijayendra called the decision an effort by the Congress government to obfuscate its own failures.

Seeking to counter the BJP on the matter, the government released a 2013 circular issued by the then BJP administration, restricting the use of school premises and attached playgrounds for educational purposes only.

The circular issued in February 2013, by the then Commissioner for Public Instruction S R Umashankar, now released by the Chief Minister’s office, is seen as a move by the Congress government to counter BJP’s criticism against plans to restrict RSS activities in public premises. The Jagadish Shettar-led BJP government was in power then and the circulae came in response to permission sought to organise a private event on the premises of the Fort High School at Chamarajpet in the city.

On Thursday, Mr Kharge said, “we cannot control any organisation, but from now on you cannot do whatever you want in public places or roads.” “Whatever you have to do, it has to be done after seeking the government’s permission,” he told reporters after the cabinet meeting. It will be up to the government whether to give permission to carry out such activities.

Noting that there are parameters to grant permission, the minister said, “You cannot walk on the road waving sticks or take out Patha Sanchalana (march) just by giving intimation to the authorities. All these things will be part of the rules we are going to introduce.” “The rules we want to bring is regarding public places, government schools, colleges, government premises, government owned institutions and aided institutions,” Kharge said.

“We will bring together the previous orders issued by the Home department, Law Department, and the Education Department to frame a new rule. In the next two to three days, the new rule will come into force within the framework of law and the Constitution,” he said.

Mr Patil said the cabinet discussed the issue related to private organisations conducting their activities in public places.

“The cabinet directs the (Home) department to issue a Government Order to regulate the use of public properties including educational institutions. The Cabinet directed the department to provide the government order to all concerned regarding the proper usage of government institution properties, to prevent any trespassing in government schools and colleges and to regulate such premises,” Patil said.

According to him, there were rules in the past but they lacked clarity. Keeping all those issues in mind, the cabinet decided to bring detailed rules. When asked whether the decision was taken keeping RSS in mind, he said, “This can be your opinion. The government did not keep certain people in mind. This will be applicable to those who were violating the most.”

The objective behind the government order was to ensure good use of government and institutional properties and to prevent activities without permission and trespass, the minister stated. “We have taken the decision in view of the present situation. A government order will be issued, which will give you more details,” Patil said.