A court in Karnataka has taken formal legal action against three prominent political figures from the state. The judicial body has issued notices to Congress leaders Priyank Kharge, Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Mohammed Haris Nalapad, commonly known as Nalapad. This step comes in response to a private complaint concerning their public statements about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The Complaint That Triggered the Legal Action
The court's decision was based on a complaint filed by a Bengaluru resident named Tejas A. Tejas has been associated with the RSS since 2007, and he approached the court alleging that the comments made by the leaders were objectionable. The core of the complaint revolves around a specific action taken by Priyank Kharge in October of the previous year.
According to the complainant, in October 2025, Priyank Kharge, who is a Congress MLA and the son of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote an official letter to the Chief Minister of Karnataka. In this communication, Kharge reportedly requested a ban on RSS activities being held on government premises. This proposed ban was intended to cover spaces like government schools and public grounds.
Details of the Court Proceedings and Accusations
The court found sufficient grounds in the private complaint to initiate proceedings, leading to the issuance of formal notices to the three leaders. The notices compel them to respond to the allegations presented by Tejas A. The complainant's argument is that the statements and the letter written by Kharge, along with related comments from Rao and Nalapad, crossed a legal line.
While the exact content of Dinesh Gundu Rao and Nalapad's specific remarks is not detailed in the initial report, the case links them to the broader issue surrounding the discourse on the RSS's use of public infrastructure. The legal move underscores the ongoing and often tense political debate in Karnataka regarding ideological organizations and their access to state-owned facilities.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
This development is set to intensify the political friction in the state between the ruling Congress party and the BJP's ideological mentor, the RSS. The issuance of court notices to sitting MLAs and a former minister is a significant event that will likely fuel further political commentary and legal argument.
The leaders now have a legal obligation to present their side of the story before the court. Their responses will determine the future course of this case, including whether it proceeds to a full trial or is resolved at a preliminary stage. The case highlights how political demands and statements can quickly transition into the realm of legal scrutiny, especially when private citizens choose to challenge them through the judicial system.
The outcome will be closely watched, as it touches upon sensitive issues of freedom of speech, the rights of organizations, and the permissible use of government property for ideological activities.
