The Karnataka government has re-issued a 2013 circular restricting private and non-governmental organisations from conducting activities in public spaces and on roads.
The decision follows a request by Congress leader and state Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government-owned public spaces.
Kharge had said that his appeal was aimed at preventing “the RSS’s attempts to create negative impacts on children and the youth community, and to uphold the ideals of the Constitution, unity, equality, and integrity.”
The move is expected to affect the Hindutva organisation’s activities, as the RSS often holds its camps in government-aided schools and other public areas.
The circular, originally issued on February 7, 2013, when the BJP was in power, stated that government school premises should not be used for private purposes or non-academic activities.
After Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, Kharge said new rules based on the 2013 circular would soon be framed. “In the next two to three days, the new rule will come into force within the framework of law and the Constitution,” he said.
Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the state had received complaints from students and parents about an “ideological mentality” being promoted through non-educational activities in schools. He added that they had to issue an order in the interest of children and stated that anything not good for children would not be allowed in the schools.
Law Minister HK Patil clarified that the circular was not directed against any particular organisation.
The BJP, however, criticised Kharge’s remarks about the RSS. The party said that he was targeting a “patriotic organisation” to divert attention from his “administrative failures.”
Kharge later claimed he had received threats for questioning the RSS. “If they think threats and personal jibes will silence me, they are mistaken,” he wrote on social media.