KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad Links RSS Meetings to Past Killings; Remarks During Belagavi RSS Meet Trigger Political Row
Bengaluru, July 10: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad made remarks linking past RSS meetings to the murders of rationalists and journalist Gauri Lankesh, during the ongoing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) annual meeting in Belagavi.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Hariprasad questioned the purpose of the RSS meeting being held in Belagavi and referred to the killings of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, M.M. Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh.
He alleged that similar RSS meetings had taken place before those incidents and said it would be appropriate to wait and see “what happens after the present meeting” before commenting further.
Hariprasad also said that those found guilty of any offence should receive strict punishment. However, he questioned why the RSS was holding its meeting in Belagavi and suggested that the outcome of the gathering should be closely watched.
His remarks have added to the ongoing ideological confrontation between the Congress and the RSS, with Congress leaders in recent weeks repeatedly criticising the organisation and its ideology.
RSS Annual Meeting Underway in Belagavi
Meanwhile, the RSS has commenced its three-day annual meeting at Anigol in Belagavi district, with RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and senior office-bearers participating.
According to information available, 46 Prant Pracharaks from across the country and several organisational functionaries are attending the meeting.
Discussions during the conference are expected to focus on organisational expansion, review of RSS training programmes, expansion of shakhas and activities planned as part of the organisation’s centenary year celebrations leading up to Vijayadashami.
Police have deployed elaborate security arrangements around the venue.
Political Reactions Expected
Hariprasad’s remarks are likely to draw strong reactions from the BJP and the RSS, which have consistently rejected allegations linking the organisation to acts of violence.
The RSS has not issued any official response to Hariprasad’s statement at the time of publication.
The comments also come amid recent criticism of the RSS by several Congress leaders, including Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, reflecting the continuing ideological and political differences between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and the Sangh Parivar.
Note: The allegations made by B.K. Hariprasad are political statements. Investigative agencies and courts have dealt with individual criminal cases independently. No judicial finding in this report establishes any institutional involvement of the RSS in the incidents referred to by Hariprasad.
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