A political row erupted in Karnataka with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raising objections to the offering of Namaz by a group of individuals at the Bengaluru Airport premises, flagging security concerns.
Karnataka BJP spokesperson Vijay Prasad criticised the offering of Namaz at Terminal 2 of Bengaluru International Airport. In a post on X, Prasad asked whether Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet minister, Priyank Kharge, approve of the same.
"How is this even allowed inside the T2 Terminal of Bengaluru International Airport? Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Priyank Kharge, do you approve of this?" Prasad said.
He further slammed the Congress government in Karnataka for objecting to the Path Sanchalan (march) organised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, but turning "a blind eye" towards "such activities" in restricted public areas.
"Did these individuals obtain prior permission to offer namaz in a high-security airport zone? Why is it that the government objects when the RSS conducts Patha Sanchalana after obtaining due permission from the concerned authorities, but turns a blind eye to such activities in a restricted public area? Does this not pose a serious security concern in such a sensitive zone?" Prasad said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a statement on RSS movement posting on X early morning on Monday that it has not been restricted, and that the order says "any organization" has to seek permission from respective District Magistrates.
"The RSS has not been restricted, nor has it been made mandatory to obtain permission for public places. The order states that any organization must obtain permission from the respective District Magistrates. They have only assumed that. We cannot respond to everything said by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat," Siddaramaiah said in the post in Kannada.
This comes days after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, on November 3, questioned the RSS's transparency and accountability. He demanded to know why the RSS was secretive about its activities, and how it could conduct large-scale marches without being registered as an organisation.
Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, "I have no problem with the RSS as long as they seek permission from the government to do their activities and register themselves as an organisation. Why are they so scared of Indian laws and the Constitution? Why are they so secretive? How can an unregistered organisation have lakhs of people march across the country? Why is it that the BJP is so keen that the RSS should not follow the law of the land?"
The Karnataka Minister also questioned the Advanced Security Liaison (AGL) provided to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, implying that it is typically reserved for the Prime Minister and Union Ministers of Home and External Affairs.
With inputs from ANI
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