VHP Criticizes Karnataka Government for Suspensions of Employees Participating in RSS Events
New Delhi, August 28: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a strong critique against the Congress government in Karnataka for suspending government employees who participated in events organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal asserted that these actions violate constitutional rights. He also called for thorough police investigations into the recent murder of a young woman in Delhi.
Bansal accused the Karnataka government of bias, particularly from the state’s Home Minister towards the RSS and nationalist organizations. He questioned why employees face repercussions for attending organizational events on their days off, provided their official duties are not impacted. He claimed that two employees were suspended solely for participating in an RSS march. The government’s justification that action must be taken upon receiving complaints is flawed, he argued, emphasizing that no employee should be penalized without a proper investigation.
He also opposed questioning employees’ participation based on the RSS being an ‘unregistered organization.’ Citing Article 19 of the Constitution, Bansal highlighted that citizens have the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. He posed the question of whether government employees are to be denied these constitutional freedoms.
Bansal accused the Congress of double standards, noting that the suspension orders were issued on August 20, the same day the Home Minister stated in Parliament that there were no pending cases against the RSS and that no illegal activities occurred within its branches. If this is the government’s official stance, he questioned the basis for taking action against employees attending its events. He demanded the Congress retract the suspensions and issue an apology.
Regarding the murder case of a young woman allegedly committed by a gym trainer, Bansal described it as a tragic incident. He stated that the woman was killed after refusing a marriage proposal from the accused, who had contacted her through the gym. He insisted that if any other individuals or groups were involved, they should also be investigated. Merely arresting the accused is insufficient; a comprehensive inquiry into the entire conspiracy is essential.
