A Maharashtra man has been arrested for threatening Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge after his call to ban RSS activities in government institutions. Read about the incident, investigation, and political response.
A 40-year-old man from Maharashtra was arrested for allegedly threatening Karnataka IT-BT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge over his appeal to ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government schools and colleges. The accused, identified as Danappa alias Dinesh from Solapur, was traced and apprehended from Latur, Maharashtra, following a complaint lodged at the Sadashivnagar police station in Bengaluru.
The controversy began when Minister Kharge posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting an audio clip of alleged abusive and threatening remarks aimed at him and his family, including his mother. Kharge criticized the language and behavior depicted in the clip, questioning whether such conduct is endorsed by top RSS or BJP leaders. His appeal emphasized that no religious or ideological organization should operate within government institutions, as it violates the secular framework of the state.
Following the complaint by Congress leader Manohar on behalf of Kharge, police registered an FIR under the IT Act and Section 351 (criminal intimidation). Using mobile tower tracking and digital forensics, investigators located Dinesh, who was subsequently taken into custody. Authorities revealed that the suspect’s threats were motivated by outrage over the minister’s remarks on restricting RSS activities. The police are continuing investigations to determine if others were involved or coordinated similar intimidation attempts.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended Minister Kharge, condemning the threats and emphasizing the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of public officials. The incident has sparked political debate across the state, with questions raised about accountability and the conduct of supporters affiliated with ideological organizations.
