Karnataka: No-fly zone imposed in Belagavi ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit
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Belagavi District Magistrate, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) issued an order under Article 163 of 2023 declaring the 2 km radius around the three venues as “Red Zone” or “No-Fly Zone” from July 6 to July 14.
Following the decision, venues for meetings at Belagavi Foundry Sristar Guest House, Angol Industrial Area, Udyambag, Sant Meera School, Sahyadri Colony, Bhagyanagar Extension, Angol, Shri Jagannath Rao Joshi Samadarshana Bhavan Godsad Road, Shastri Nagar, Khade Bazaar have also been restricted.
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The order bans all Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Drones and Paragliders from operating at these locations, citing “security and public safety reasons” in connection with programs attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
The police were instructed to strictly enforce restrictions during this period. Security measures have been taken ahead of a series of RSS organizational meetings to be held in Belagavi. The visit also triggered a political lull following Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s statement on the RSS earlier this week.
Although the Home Minister is yet to comment on the Belagavi regulations, his previous statements regarding the organization have kept the issue alive in state politics. While BJP leaders accused the Congress government of targeting the RSS, the government maintained that law and order would be maintained in all incidents.
This comes amid the ongoing controversy, which began with Karnataka Minister Kharge writing an open letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking clarity on the legal status, financial transparency and constitutional accountability of the organization as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, saying that an organization that claims 60,000 shakhas and millions of swayamsevaks in India and abroad should be held to the “highest standards of transparency, accountability and constitutionality”.
He also demanded clarity from the RSS on its constitutional status and financial compliance, prompting sharp reactions from the BJP and allied organisations.
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While this was happening, Kharge and Pradesh Youth Congress Committee president Muhammad Haris Nalapad was recently summoned by a Bengaluru court after taking cognizance of a private complaint alleging that the two leaders had made defamatory remarks against the RSS.
The court took cognizance of the offense of contempt punishable under Article 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and issued summons as part of the proceedings.
The Karnataka Minister said he will continue to question the RSS and will not be silenced after a Bengaluru court summoned him in a criminal defamation case for his statements against the Sangh Parivar.
Speaking to reporters, Kharge said he had “nothing to fear” as long as the Constitution was on his side and asserted that attempts to intimidate him would not deter him from asking questions about the RSS.
While both the RSS meeting and the political statements attracted attention, the Belagavi police said they had increased surveillance, vehicle checks and deployment in and around the venues to ensure peaceful events.
