Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 13 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Monday strongly criticised Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge's demand to ban RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, and asked on what basis such things are being said.

Speaking to ANI, Chhattisgarh Deputy CM said, 'If people of an organisation that allowed the partition of India on religious lines say such things... Kisan Sangh and ABVP are two of the biggest organisations in the world. There is a complete chain of the biggest organisations in the world. On what basis are such things being said?'

Earlier, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, reacting to Kharge's remark, said that restricting RSS entry in certain places won't result in much change because the majority of MLAs and MPs belong to this ideology.

Speaking to media, Pralhad Joshi said, 'Previous Congress presidents, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, everybody tried, but they were unable to defend their actions. RSS is the only organisation I believe in the entire world that is free from factionalism and division; it has grown to this level. Restricting entry in certain places won't change much because most states, ministers, the majority of the MLAs, and MPs belong to this ideology. From minister to prime minister to chief minister, many people are active members of the RSS.'

'The Muslim League was responsible for the division of the nation. People should understand the level of appeasement. They (Congress leaders) are sympathetic to the Muslim League, support PFI and SFI, and oppose nationalist forces because Congress never believes in nationalist ideology,' he further added.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to bar RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, accusing the organisation of 'brainwashing young minds' and promoting a 'philosophy against the Constitution'.

He criticised the RSS, saying, ''Hindu khatre me hai, bacha zyaada paida karo,' yet its members remain bachelors. Why can't they marry and practice what they preach?'

Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, 'I have requested the CM that RSS activities should not be allowed in government schools and colleges... RSS's activities brainwash young minds, which is not helping the nation or society. I've written to the CM to not allow RSS activities or their 'Baithaks', even in archaeological temples or state-owned temples. Let them do it in private homes... We have no problem with that but you can't use government grounds for their mass brainwashing... If this philosophy were so good, why aren't the BJP leaders' children involved in it? How many BJP leaders' children have taken Trishul Diksha? How many BJP leaders' children are Gaurakshaks and Dharam Rakshaks? How many BJP leaders' children come out in the open during any communal disturbance? RSS philosophy is only for the poor.'

He added further criticism of the organisation's practices, saying, 'The RSS people say 'Hindu khatre me hai, bacha zyaada paida karo', but they remain bachelors. Why can't they marry? Why can't they practice what they preach? This entire philosophy is against the Constitution. They are the ones who refused the Constitution and who want Manusmriti as the Constitution. How many BJP leaders practice the Manusmriti in their homes? Let them practice in their homes and then come and preach to others...' (ANI)