DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

Follower of Ambedkar; afraid of none: Karnataka minister Kharge hits back at BJP MP

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, a follower of B.R. Ambedkar, stated he fears no one and criticized BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi's remarks about Dalits questioning the RSS.
  • Jigajinagi had suggested that those who oppose the RSS do not survive and questioned why a Dalit should be concerned about the organization.
  • Kharge is pressing the RSS to disclose its legal status, organizational structure, and finances, arguing for transparency and accountability from organizations with a national presence.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge declared he fears no one, drawing strength from being a follower of B.R. Ambedkar. His assertion came in response to remarks made by BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi, who suggested that Dalits have no right to question the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

I am afraid of none for being the follower of B R Ambedkar.

— Priyank KhargeAsserting his fearlessness based on his principles.

Jigajinagi had previously stated, "Those who have taken on RSS have not survived," and questioned the motivation behind a Dalit person's concern regarding the organization. He also dismissed Kharge's demand for the RSS to formally register, questioning the purpose and stating it was not a home minister's job. Jigajinagi further commented on Kharge's personal background, suggesting his appointment to the Home portfolio was due to his father's influence and that he lacked wisdom.

Those who have taken on RSS have not survived. Why should a Dalit person be concerned about RSS?

— Ramesh JigajinagiQuestioning Kharge's stance and the right of Dalits to question the RSS.

Kharge, in a statement, urged an examination of Jigajinagi's comments from multiple perspectives. He questioned if the remarks reflected frustration from Jigajinagi, himself a Dalit, over not being able to join the RSS, or if they were intended as a warning to Dalits against associating with an organization that upholds a graded social order. Kharge also probed whether Jigajinagi believed Dalits were incapable of subjecting the RSS to constitutional scrutiny.

Is this the voice of frustration of Ramesh Jigajinagi, himself a member of the Dalit community, because he cannot gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the RSS?

— Priyank KhargeQuestioning Jigajinagi's motives behind his remarks.

The ongoing debate stems from Kharge's push for transparency from the RSS. He has called on the organization to disclose its legal status, structure, and finances, arguing that entities with a significant national presence should adhere to standards of transparency and constitutional accountability. Kharge previously wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking details on registration, office bearers, finances, and tax compliance, a demand rejected by the RSS and BJP, who stated the organization operates openly and does not require formal registration unless seeking government funds.

Are these words meant to caution Dalits not to associate with the RSS, which believes in the fundamentals of a graded social order?

— Priyank KhargeInterpreting Jigajinagi's comments as a warning to Dalits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog