Priyank Kharge says he’s receiving threats over his stand on RSS — BJP dismisses it as ‘publicity drama’ as the war of words intensifies in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The political heat in Karnataka has intensified over the ongoing RSS activities ban controversy, with Minister Priyank Kharge claiming that he has received repeated threat calls following his public statements questioning RSS shakhas on government premises.
“I’ve been receiving calls threatening me to stay silent. Let me make it clear — no amount of intimidation can silence me or stop me from speaking the truth,” Kharge asserted on Monday. His remarks follow his earlier letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanding a ban on RSS activities in government institutions and public spaces.
However, BJP leaders were quick to counter Kharge’s claims, calling them a “publicity gimmick” meant to gain attention. BJP MLA Aravind Bellad remarked,
“Every time Priyank runs out of political relevance, he plays the victim card. These so-called threat calls are part of a publicity stunt. There’s no need to overdramatize it.”
The Political Crossfire
The controversy erupted after Priyank Kharge said RSS shakhas should not be held in government compounds — a statement that triggered sharp reactions from BJP leaders, including R. Ashoka and C.T. Ravi. Ashoka challenged the government to implement a ban and warned,
“If the Congress government dares to restrict RSS activities, I will personally conduct a shakha myself. The Prime Minister, President, and even Governors have connections with RSS — who can the Congress stop?”
Meanwhile, C.T. Ravi had earlier invited Priyank Kharge for an open debate on the matter, to which Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar responded with a counter-challenge:
“Before debating me, first defeat me in the election. Then we’ll talk.”
The issue has also reignited a larger ideological clash between Congress and BJP, with the opposition arguing that government land belongs to taxpayers and cannot be restricted.
“If parks and playgrounds are built with our money, citizens — not the government — have the right to use them,” BJP leaders insisted, questioning the Congress’s intent behind the proposed restrictions.
Congress Defends, RSS Reacts on Ground
Priyank Kharge’s remarks have drawn support from sections of the ruling Congress, who argue that the use of government spaces for ideological activities must be regulated.
“If we can’t hold political events in government offices, neither should RSS,” said a senior minister defending Kharge’s statement.
Meanwhile, RSS volunteers in Mandya have launched a counter-campaign titled “I Love RSS”, putting up posters on shops and vehicles in solidarity with the organization — a visible show of defiance to the Congress government’s proposal.
Political Pulse
The row over the RSS ban, threat calls, and counter-debates has now evolved into a full-blown political narrative in Karnataka. For the Congress, it’s a matter of administrative control; for the BJP, it’s a question of ideological freedom — and for Priyank Kharge, it’s fast becoming a personal battle for voice and visibility in the state’s political arena.
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