Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Karnataka Political Row Escalates Over RSS, BJP and Election Commission
A political argument has started in Karnataka after B. K. Hariprasad criticised the RSS and BJP.
He spoke to Congress workers in Bengaluru.
He mentioned the song Vande Mataram and made comments about the RSS uniform and lathi.
BJP leaders said his words were provocative.
Hariprasad also criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He warned Congress workers to watch changes to voter lists.
BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy defended the RSS and criticised Hariprasad.
The argument is part of a larger disagreement about the RSS, Vande Mataram and election rules.
KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad criticised the RSS and BJP during a Congress workers’ meeting in Bengaluru.
Hariprasad referred to Vande Mataram, RSS uniforms and lathis while urging Congress workers to oppose the BJP and RSS politically.
He also criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and urged vigilance over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy accused Hariprasad of aggressive rhetoric and defended RSS members’ uniforms and lathis.
The dispute follows a legislature episode in which BJP and JD(S) legislators sang the full version of Vande Mataram after an official rendition stopped after two stanzas.
- Who
- KPCC president B. K. Hariprasad, BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Congress, BJP, RSS and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Hariprasad’s remarks about the RSS and BJP, along with his criticism of the Election Commission, triggered a political dispute.
- When
- The controversy is ongoing; BJP and JD(S) legislators recently sang the full version of Vande Mataram in the legislature.
- Where
- Bengaluru and the Karnataka legislature.
- Why
- The dispute concerns political opposition to the RSS and BJP, the singing of Vande Mataram, and disagreements over electoral-roll revision.
Congress-aligned position
BJP-aligned position
Remarks on RSS and BJP
Congress-aligned position
B. K. Hariprasad urged Congress workers to politically oppose the BJP and RSS and used sarcastic references to RSS uniforms and lathis.
BJP-aligned position
BJP leaders said Hariprasad used provocative language against the RSS and its supporters; Chalavadi Narayanaswamy criticised his aggressive rhetoric.
RSS uniforms and lathis
Congress-aligned position
Hariprasad invoked the traditional khaki uniform and lathi associated with RSS shakhas while addressing Congress workers.
BJP-aligned position
Narayanaswamy said wearing uniforms and carrying lathis did not mean RSS members had committed violence.
Electoral-roll revision
Congress-aligned position
Hariprasad urged vigilance, alleging that eligible voters could be excluded if the electoral-roll process was not closely monitored, and demanded answers from Gyanesh Kumar.
BJP-aligned position
The articles report the criticism and wider political debate but do not provide a detailed BJP response to Hariprasad’s electoral-roll allegations.
- Main speaker
- B. K. Hariprasad, president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee
- Location
- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Election issue
- The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Election official criticised
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- BJP response
- Chalavadi Narayanaswamy accused Hariprasad of aggressive rhetoric and defended the RSS
- Vande Mataram dispute
- BJP and JD(S) legislators sang the full version after the official rendition ended after two stanzas