Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, on Monday pushed back sharply against the Indian National Congress's criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting that the sticks carried by RSS members during route marches are purely ceremonial and have never been used to harm anyone in the organisation's 100-year history. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Narayanaswamy mounted a multi-front counter-offensive, targeting the Congress on the Vande Mataram controversy, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and what he alleged was the sheltering of illegal immigrants.

RSS Sticks Are Uniform, Not Weapons

Narayanaswamy was categorical in defending the RSS's signature ceremonial attire. 'It is not a weapon. It is only part of the uniform worn during the route march. In 100 years, no one has been cheated, wronged or deceived by carrying the uniform. No one has been beaten with that stick,' he said. He further alleged that the Congress's statements against the RSS were fabricated, and pointed out that Home Minister Priyank Kharge — himself described as a strong critic of the RSS — had acknowledged that no cases were pending against the organisation. Narayanaswamy also questioned the credibility of remarks made by senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad, alleging that Hariprasad's political style amounted to 'hitting, beating and cutting.'

Vande Mataram Row and Congress's Assembly Record

Narayanaswamy turned the spotlight on what he called the Congress's inconsistent stance on national symbols. 'This is not the era of swords. This is the era of Vande Mataram. We used to sing the entire song in the Assembly. Why did the Congress stop it?' he said. The remarks come amid a broader political dispute in Karnataka over the singing of the national song in the state legislature, a flashpoint that has deepened the rift between the ruling Congress and the BJP-led opposition.

Stone-Pelting Allegation and SIR Controversy

Narayanaswamy alleged that Congress workers had targeted his residence with stones following his comments on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — an Election Commission exercise aimed at updating voter lists. He drew a contrast with Kerala, where Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had reportedly stated that the SIR exercise benefited his party by curbing bogus votes cast by Communist supporters. Narayanaswamy questioned why the Congress was raising the spectre of 'vote theft' in Karnataka but not in Kerala, or in Telangana, where the party had also won. 'There has been no vote theft in the country. Voters did not vote for the Congress thieves,' he said.

Bangladeshi Nationals Allegation

In a separate charge, Narayanaswamy alleged that Karnataka had the second-highest concentration of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals in the country after West Bengal, and claimed that Congress leaders were sheltering them. He said some were employed in coffee estates and hotels, and claimed their presence in Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Dharwad, and Kalaburagi. The allegation, which the Congress has not formally responded to, echoes a pattern of BJP claims on illegal immigration that have surfaced across multiple states ahead of electoral cycles. This is the latest in a series of escalating exchanges between the ruling Congress and the BJP opposition in Karnataka since the Congress's 136-seat victory in the state assembly elections.