Bengaluru: In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday indicated that his government is examining steps to restrict the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in public spaces, particularly in government and government-aided schools, colleges, state-owned temples, public grounds, and other lands under the state’s jurisdiction. The announcement comes in the wake of a request from Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, who has alleged that the RSS is promoting an ideology contrary to the Constitution and “brainwashing young minds.”Speaking to reporters in Hassan, Siddaramaiah stated, “No organisation should disturb people in public places. Action has been taken in Tamil Nadu. We will examine it and take further action.” He further directed the state chief secretaryto review the measures implemented in Tamil Nadu, where RSS activities in government spaces have been curbed, and assess their applicability to Karnataka.Background of the MoveThe move follows a letter from Minister Priyank Kharge to the Chief Minister urging similar restrictions in Karnataka, citing concerns about the RSS using government spaces for activities that, according to Kharge, undermine constitutional values and target the youth. “The RSS organisation is using government spaces for its activities. Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter stating that since it has been banned in Tamil Nadu, it should be banned here as well,” Siddaramaiah said.The decision, once formalized, is expected to prohibit RSS meetings and activities on premises of government schools, colleges, state-owned temples, public grounds, and other properties owned or managed by the state. Officials indicate that the move is aimed at ensuring that no organisation, irrespective of its political or ideological affiliation, is allowed to use public spaces for activities that could disrupt public order or promote partisan ideologies.Threats to Minister Priyank KhargeFollowing his public remarks and letter to the Chief Minister, Minister Priyank Kharge has reportedly been receiving threatening phone calls over the past three days. Taking to the microblogging platform X, Kharge shared a video of an abusive call he claimed to have received due to his advocacy for restricting RSS activities. He stated that his fight is against what he described as “the toxic mentality spread by the RSS,” and not against individuals personally.Kharge also posted on X, “For the past two days, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Calls filled with threats, intimidation, and the filthiest abuse directed at me and my family, simply because I dared to question and restrain RSS activities in government schools, colleges and public institutions. But I’m neither shaken nor surprised. When the RSS didn’t spare Mahatma Gandhi or Babasaheb Ambedkar, why would they spare me?”Political and Social ImplicationsThe potential restriction of RSS activities in government spaces has emerged as a politically sensitive issue in Karnataka, given the organisation’s close ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which currently rules at the Centre. While the state government is emphasizing the constitutional duty to protect public institutions from partisan influence, the move may lead to tensions with groups affiliated with the RSS and its wider ideological network.Public and political discourse in Karnataka has been intensifying over the use of educational institutions and public spaces for ideological propagation. The RSS, as the ideological parent of the BJP, has long been active in running programs and camps targeting youth and students, often in government or aided educational institutions. Critics argue that these activities blur the line between education and ideological indoctrination.Minister Priyank Kharge’s personal threats highlight the risks faced by public officials advocating policy changes that may affect powerful ideological organisations. Authorities are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, and the state police department has been alerted to ensure the minister’s security.Next StepsThe Karnataka government is expected to finalize a policy framework after reviewing Tamil Nadu’s approach and examining its legal and administrative feasibility. This may include:

Prohibiting RSS and similar organisations from conducting meetings, training, or other activities on government-owned and government-aided educational campuses.Restricting activities on public grounds and state-owned temples used for community gatherings.Issuing clear guidelines to prevent misuse of public spaces for partisan or ideological purposes.

Officials note that any policy action will likely be accompanied by public communication emphasizing that the measure is aimed at preserving the neutrality of government institutions and ensuring that public spaces remain accessible and free from partisan influence.ConclusionThe Karnataka government’s proposed restrictions reflect a growing debate over the role of ideological organisations in public institutions and spaces. While Minister Priyank Kharge faces threats for raising the issue, the Chief Minister’s directive to review Tamil Nadu’s measures indicates a serious approach to ensuring that public spaces in Karnataka remain neutral and accessible to all citizens without partisan or ideological interference. The final decision is awaited, but it could set a precedent for other states dealing with similar concerns regarding the use of government and public spaces for organisational activities.

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