The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said in its press release, issued by N Tippeswamy, RSS Dakshin Madhya Kshetra Karyavah(Secretary), stated that ‘Shri Goolihatti Shekhar, former MLA of Hosdurga, in an audio release, has alleged that “he was denied entry into Dr. Hedegawar’s memorial in Nagpur due to his caste”. There is no system of allowing visitors into the Sangh Karyalaya in Nagpur after registering their names. Hence, this allegation is baseless and without merit.’
He further said, ‘Be it in any premises of the RSS, or in memorials like this, everyone has unrestricted access. Thousands of people from all castes and classes visit every day. The question of denial of entry to anyone has never risen.’
‘Shri Goolihatti Shekhar, who claims that this incident took place four months before the state assembly elections, has met many leaders of the Sangh since then, but nowhere did he raise the issue of this so-called ‘humiliation’. It is surprising that such an allegation is made after ten months.’
‘The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh always welcomes everyone with an open mind.’ N. Tippeswamy added.
Earlier, Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj of Karnataka, shared a tweet on X, tagging B L Santhosh, National General Secretary, BJP
Dearest @blsanthosh ji,
On the day of #MahaparinirvanDiwas,
Former @BJP4Karnataka Minister Sri. Goolihatti Shekhar is asking a very simple clarification, why was he denied entry to RSS founder Hedgewar’s house (now a museum) because he is a Dalit?Listen to his plea Ji.… pic.twitter.com/QWiU1iVjBz
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) December 6, 2023
Govind M Karjol, former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, speaking to media said, RSS’s mission is to build a classless, caste-free society. Who does not ask anyone’s caste? Everyone is equal there. I have never seen any caste-discriminatory behaviour in the Sangh.
ವರ್ಗರಹಿತ, ಜಾತಿ ಭೇದವಿಲ್ಲದ ಸಮಾಜ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸುವುದೇ ಆರೆಸ್ಸೆಸ್ ಧ್ಯೇಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಯಾರು ಯಾರ ಜಾತಿಯನ್ನೂ ಕೇಳುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಿಸಮಾನರು. ಜಾತಿ ತಾರತಮ್ಯದ ನಡವಳಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ಸಂಘದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಂದೂ ಕಂಡಿಲ್ಲ.
– ಶ್ರೀ @GovindKarjol, ಮಾಜಿ ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು pic.twitter.com/sXK3RjeCYk
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) December 6, 2023
Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, a BJP MLA Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, shared the press release issued by RSS Karnataka.
ಮಾಜಿ ಶಾಸಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಗೂಳಿಹಟ್ಟಿ ಶೇಖರ್‌ ಅವರ ಹುರುಳಿಲ್ಲದ ಆರೋಪಕ್ಕೆ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಸ್ವಯಂಸೇವಕ ಸಂಘ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟೀಕರಣ ನೀಡಿದೆ.
ಎಲ್ಲರನ್ನೂ ಸದಾ ತೆರೆದ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಸ್ವಾಗತಿಸುವ @RSSorg ಜಾತಿ, ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಮೀರಿದ ದೇಶಭಕ್ತ ಸಂಘಟನೆ. pic.twitter.com/SR1mT8nnx0
— Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan (@drashwathcn) December 6, 2023
RSS Karnataka’s response aims to set the record straight, assuring that the organization remains dedicated to its principles of inclusivity and refuting the specific allegations made by former MLA Goolihatti Shekar regarding his visit to Dr. Hedgewar’s memorial.
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