A Karnataka minister on Thursday stirred a controversy in the Assembly by saying that all Muslims and Christians of the country would one day associate themselves with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). To this the speaker also agreed and told the Congress MLAs that someday in future in our country, even AAP will have to say- our RSS. After this statement, Congress MLAs expressed their displeasure in the assembly. Know what happened.
Karnataka Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa, during a discussion on law and order in the House, courted controversy by making a statement that one day all Muslims and Christians of the country would associate themselves with the RSS. At that time Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri had used the word “our RSS” and said that a day would come when opposition MLAs would also say the same. Congress MLAs objected to this.
Eshwarappa’s argument with Congress MLA KJ George started soon after this statement in the Karnataka Assembly. George questioned “Who are you who Christians and Muslims would call RSS?” Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “I will never be a part of the RSS and will not say its name.”
According to a PTI report, it all started when Siddaramaiah, while speaking about his personal equation with some leaders and ministers of the ruling party, referred to the RSS, the ideological head of the BJP. “Personal relations are important, followed by party differences – BJP, RSS, Congress and others,” the Congress leader said. This Speaker of the Assembly asked Siddaramaiah, “Why are you feeling troubled about our RSS?”
One day everyone will speak our RSS: Speaker
Party MLA Jamir Ahmed Khan told Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde that as the Congress member clarified that he was not speaking with any sentiment, then you (Speaker) sitting on that chair saying ‘Our RSS’?” the speaker asked. Then he said, “And what, don’t we have an RSS? Yes… this is our RSS. RSS is ours… Jamir, I am telling you one thing, if not today then someday in future in our country, even you will have to say – our RSS.” Soon after, some Congress MLAs said that That day will never come and he will never say it. Siddaramaiah said that he is also anti-RSS.
Congressmen’s reply to the Speaker
During the proceedings of the House, Congress MLA Priyank Kharge reminded the Speaker about his stand on constitutional values, referring to a debate on the Constitution last year. Said that “You claimed then that you are for the Constitution. Now, you are saying that you are in favor of the RSS.”