{"id":19556,"date":"2025-10-21T00:44:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T00:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/21\/dk-shivakumar-softens-stance-on-rss-defends-sanghs-history-amid-congress-ban-talk-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T00:44:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T00:44:05","slug":"dk-shivakumar-softens-stance-on-rss-defends-sanghs-history-amid-congress-ban-talk-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/21\/dk-shivakumar-softens-stance-on-rss-defends-sanghs-history-amid-congress-ban-talk-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"DK Shivakumar Softens Stance On RSS, Defends Sangh\u2019s \u2018History\u2019 Amid Congress Ban Talk | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9632208\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">October 13, 2025, 12:03 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9632208\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-261371482 asubttl-schema\">While addressing reporters about a scuffle at an event, DKS was careful to direct his criticism solely at the BJP MLA&#8217;s disruptive behaviour, rather than the RSS.<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-261371482 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI)\" title=\"Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-261371482\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has sparked fresh controversy and exposed internal divisions within the Congress party after he took a noticeably \u201csoft&#8221; stance on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), defending the organisation\u2019s legacy, just as his cabinet colleague, Priyank Kharge, sought a ban on its activities on government properties.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">The Deputy CM\u2019s remarks followed a chaotic public confrontation at Bengaluru\u2019s JP Park, where BJP MLA Munirathna, clad in an RSS uniform, created a dramatic scene during a government outreach programme led by DKS.<\/p>\n<h2>\u2018Disrespect to RSS, Not Me\u2019: DKS Diverts Blame<\/h2>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">While addressing reporters about the on-stage scuffle, DKS was careful to direct his criticism solely at the BJP MLA\u2019s disruptive behaviour, rather than the organisation he represented. He surprisingly pivoted to defend the RSS itself. \u201cWhat\u2019s the link between RSS and this. That organisation has a history and has been doing its own work,&#8221; DKS stated. He further argued that Munirathna\u2019s actions had actually dishonoured the Sangh. \u201cIt\u2019s disrespect shown to that organisation, not me. That organisation has a history.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">This statement puts the state Congress unit in a difficult position, as it directly contradicts the aggressive anti-RSS stance taken by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">DKS\u2019s comments landed on the same day that Priyank Kharge, son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, reiterated his call for a ban on all RSS activities \u2013 including shakhas and route marches\u2014on government-owned properties, such as school playgrounds and temple premises.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">The Deputy CM\u2019s measured praise for the RSS, describing it as \u201can organisation with a history of rendering service in its own way,&#8221; highlights the ideological struggle within the Congress, between DKS\u2019s pragmatic approach, which may seek to temper political conflict, and the party\u2019s long-standing, aggressive opposition to the Sangh Parivar.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">The entire episode was triggered when BJP MLA Munirathna arrived at DKS\u2019s \u201cWalk with Bengaluru&#8221; campaign, dressed in his full RSS uniform following a parade. The situation escalated when DKS invited the MLA to the stage. A heated exchange over the microphone ensued, during which Munirathna loudly accused DKS of turning a government event into a Congress party affair, staging a high-drama protest. Police were eventually forced to remove the MLA from the stage. Munirathna later alleged he was \u201cdeliberately attacked&#8221; by Congress workers, claiming his RSS attire was disrespected and that the action was a political plot aimed at forcing his resignation. While DKS condemned the MLA\u2019s lack of patience and urged citizens to \u201cput an end to such representatives,&#8221; his focus remained on distinguishing the RSS as an institution from the actions of the individual MLA, thereby shielding the Sangh from direct political attack.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">This comes a few months after DK Shivakumar decided to recite RSS\u2019s anthem inside the assembly. This not only raised eyebrows but led to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge expressing his displeasure over the statement. The Deputy Chief Minister later tendered an apology.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Harish Upadhya\" title=\"Harish Upadhya\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2024\/10\/harish-2024-10-c33e5c05707ef213d989dce95130f347.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/harish-upadhya-20873.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Harish Upadhya<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India&#8217;s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India&#8217;s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-261371482 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>October 13, 2025, 12:03 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-261371482 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/\">politics<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> DK Shivakumar Softens Stance On RSS, Defends Sangh\u2019s \u2018History\u2019 Amid Congress Ban Talk<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-261371482 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/dk-shivakumar-softens-stance-on-rss-defends-sanghs-history-amid-congress-ban-talk-ws-dl-9632208.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 12:03 IST While addressing reporters about a scuffle at an event, DKS was careful to direct his criticism solely at the BJP MLA&#8217;s disruptive behaviour, rather than the RSS. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has sparked fresh controversy and exposed internal divisions within&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19556\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}