Bengaluru: A day after ITBT Minister Priyank Kharge urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government premises and institutions, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has written a counter-letter to the Chief Minister demanding that Namaz too should not be allowed in public and government spaces as per the same rules.
In his detailed letter, Yatnal stated that if the government intends to uphold secularism and equality before the law, its rules must be implemented uniformly without favoring or discriminating against any community. “The government’s intention of creating a ‘garden of peace for all communities’ should apply equally to everyone. I urge the government to take necessary action immediately,” he wrote.
Yatnal’s letter comes amid heated political debate across Karnataka following Priyank Kharge’s demand to restrict RSS activities, which the BJP has termed as politically motivated and aimed at appeasing minority voters ahead of upcoming elections.
The former BJP MLA stated that the state government has imposed restrictions on the use of public and government spaces by private organizations such as the RSS, citing neutrality. “In the same spirit of justice and equal treatment, this policy must be extended to all social and religious groups,” Yatnal wrote.
He pointed out that several instances have been reported where people offer Namaz on public roads, footpaths, and government premises without prior permission from competent authorities. Such gatherings, he said, cause inconvenience to commuters and obstruct public movement.
ಸರ್ಕಾರವೇ ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಿರುವ ನಿಯಮಾವಳಿಗಳ ಅನುಸಾರ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಜಾಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಮಾಜ್ ಮಾಡಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ಕೊಡಬಾರದೆಂದು ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸವಿವರವಾಗಿ ಪತ್ರ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಸ 'ಸರ್ವ ಜನಾಂಗದ ಶಾಂತಿಯ ತೋಟ' ಎಂಬ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಆಶಯ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಅನ್ವಯ ಆಗಬೇಕು. ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿ.
I have written a… pic.twitter.com/Jsp8DRWXIV
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) October 17, 2025
“This practice not only creates logistical challenges but also violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, which protect the citizens’ right to free movement and access to public spaces,” Yatnal said.
He emphasized that no special concession should be granted to any religious group to perform rituals or prayers on public or government land. “If restrictions are imposed on organizations like RSS while allowing others to use public spaces for religious practices like Namaz, it would undermine the credibility and neutrality of the government,” he asserted.
Yatnal urged the Chief Minister to issue clear directions to all Deputy Commissioners and Police Commissioners across the state to ensure that Namaz or any other religious activity is not conducted in public or government places without prior permission.
He also demanded that the state government issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or circular under the Karnataka Police Act clearly defining restrictions and penalties for unauthorised use of public spaces for religious purposes.
According to him, such a move would not only maintain public order and discipline but also reinforce the government’s commitment to secularism and equality before the law. “Ensuring uniform enforcement of these rules will highlight Karnataka’s commitment to secularism, equality, and rule of law. The government must ensure that no religion or community receives preferential treatment under any circumstances,” Yatnal noted.
