Allegation that former Dalit BJP leader denied entry to Nagpur office ‘baseless’: RSS
Bengaluru: The Karnataka unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) issued a clarification over the controversy that former Dalit BJP leader from the state Goolihatti Shekar was denied entry to RSS headquarters.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, there is no system in place to register the names of visitors to the Nagpur Sangh’s office. The statement dismisses the allegation as ‘baseless’ and ‘inconsequential’.
The statement reads, “Former MLA from Hosadurga, Goolihatti Shekar, alleged in an audio recording that he was denied entry to Dr Hedgewar’s Memorial Building in Nagpur due to caste reasons. However, there is no system for recording the names of visitors at all. Free entry is allowed to the RSS office and similar memorials.”
It further emphasises that thousands of people from all castes and classes visit the RSS office premises, and there is no question of denial of entry. The statement questions the timing of Goolihatti Shekar’s claim, noting that the alleged incident occurred four months before the Karnataka assembly elections, and no complaint was made at that time despite several meetings with RSS leaders. The RSS finds it surprising that he is making statements about it after 10 months, the statement notes.
The RSS concludes the statement by asserting that they welcome everyone with an open mind.
Meanwhile, Goolihatti Shekar maintained that he had shared the pain he suffered. “I have great respect for the RSS,” he stated.
“I experienced this when I went to the Hedgewar Museum in Nagpur. But, RSS has stated that there is no untouchability, and I am happy. I respect RSS,” he reiterated.
“Before the elections, assembly committee members had gone for the trip. I went to Hedgewar’s Museum thinking that it was our RSS office. Before entering, one of the persons spoke to the person who accompanied me. I stayed out after that. That pain is still fresh in my mind, and that’s why I have released the audio,” he explained.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah stated that there is no entry for ‘Shudras’ and Dalits into the inner circles of the RSS.
Taking to social media, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday maintained that their only job is to stand outside the door and keep nodding for everything and say ‘Ji hujoor’. “The WhatsApp voice recording sent by former BJP MLA Goolihatti Shekar to B.L. Santhosh (National General Secretary) provides evidence of it,” the CM charged.
Goolihatti Shekar says denied entry at RSS HQ: K’taka CM alleges exclusion of Dalits from RSS circles
Belagavi: Commenting on the controversy surrounding the alleged denial of entry to former BJP Minister and Dalit leader Goolihatti Shekar into the RSS headquarters, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that there is no entry for Dalits into the inner circles of the RSS.
Taking to social media, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday maintained that their only job is to stand outside the door and keep nodding for everything and say “Ji hujoor.”
“The WhatsApp voice recording sent by former BJP MLA Goolihatti Shekar to BL Santhosh (National General Secretary) provides evidence of it,” the CM charged.
The BJP and RSS flay Muslims on the outside, but inside both are against Dalits and Shudras. Sangh Parivar leaders who always chant the slogan of ‘all Hindus being one’ will always want to trample upon Dalits and Shudras, CM Siddaramaiah stated.
Dalit leaders like Goolihatti Shekar can only find protection in the ideals and Constitution written by Dr. BR Ambedkar. They can never be protected by the ideals of Savarkar and Golwalkar of the RSS.
“I hope that Goolihatti Shekar learns from his experience,” he stated.
Can those who argue that the Constitution was implemented seven decades ago and, in the changed scenario, reservations must be withdrawn, take responsibility for the insult meted out to Goolihatti Shekar, CM Siddaramaiah questioned?
“I have said it a hundred times. I will repeat it. The reservation system should be kept as long as untouchability and casteism exist in society. Reservation is also one of the powerful tools to eradicate the caste system,” he opined.
The RSS will complete 100 years in another two years.
“The BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders carried out propaganda against me when I questioned why RSS had not appointed a single leader from the oppressed communities to the post of Sarsanghchalak the highest post. Can they show the courage to answer for the insult and humiliation faced by Goolihatti Shekar?” the CM questioned.
“If the statement that ‘all Hindus are one’ is honest, a Dalit has to be appointed to the post of Sarsanghchalak. Or, they should stop betraying people by giving slogans of all Hindus being one,” he stated.
He further stated that the Sangh Parivar makes use of innocents from Dalit and Shudra communities to finish off those with different ideologies and carry out violence. They should open their eyes and understand the truth, he underlined.
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Goolihatti Shekar maintained that he had shared the pain he suffered. “I have great respect for the RSS,” he stated. “I experienced this when I went to the Hedgewar Museum in Nagpur. But, RSS has stated that there is no untouchability, and I am happy. I respect RSS,” he reiterated.
“Before the elections, Assembly committee members had gone for the trip. I went to Hedgewar’s Museum thinking that it is our RSS office. While entering the museum, before entering, one of the persons spoke to the person who accompanied me. I stayed out after that. That pain is still fresh in my mind, and that’s why I have released the audio,” he explained.
“People asked me if I released the audio because BJP refused to provide a ticket to contest. I am still pained by the incident. I had won on a BJP ticket earlier. Politics in these matters is not tenable. I have explained my pain. I am not in the BJP party now, and I can’t question them. That pain haunts me always,” he maintained.
