Belagavi: Authorities have stepped up security in Belagavi ahead of several Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) gatherings and a planned visit by RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat, ordering tighter police deployment and declaring restricted airspace over meeting sites, ANI reported.
No-Fly Zones Declared
The Belagavi District Magistrate, invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, has designated a 2-km radius around three locations as a “Red Zone” or no-fly zone from July 6 to July 14. The order covers Foundry Sristar Guest House in Angol Industrial Area, Sant Meera School in Udyambag, Sahyadri Colony and Bhagyanagar Extension in Angol, and Shri Jagannath Rao Joshi Samadarshana Bhavan on Godsad Road, Shastri Nagar, Khade Bazaar.
The prohibition bars operation of all Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), drones and paragliders within the designated areas. Officials cited “security and public safety reasons” connected to programmes attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and directed police to enforce the restrictions strictly for the duration.
Tightened Ground Measures
Alongside the aerial restrictions, Belagavi police said they have increased surveillance and are conducting vehicle checks, with additional personnel deployed in and around the venues to ensure the events proceed without incident. The enhanced security comes as the RSS holds a series of organisational meetings in the city.
Political Tensions Surface
The heightened security preparations have been overshadowed by a political dispute following Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s critical remarks about the RSS this week. Kharge has not commented specifically on the Belagavi arrangements, yet his statements have sustained public attention. BJP leaders allege the Congress is singling out the RSS, while the state maintains it is committed to preserving law and order for every gathering.
The controversy traces to an open letter Kharge wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as the organisation marks 100 years, seeking clarity on its legal standing, financial transparency and constitutional accountability. Kharge argued that an organisation claiming “over 60,000 shakhas and crores of swayamsevaks in India and abroad must be held to the ‘highest standards of transparency, accountability and constitutional compliance’.”
Defamation Case & Responses
The row escalated when a Bengaluru court recently summoned Kharge and Pradesh Youth Congress Committee president Mohammed Haris Nalapad after taking cognisance of a private complaint alleging they made defamatory remarks against the RSS. The court took cognisance of the offence of criminal defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and issued summons as part of the proceedings.
Kharge said he would continue questioning the RSS and would not be silenced after a Bengaluru court summoned him in a criminal defamation case over his remarks against the Sangh Parivar.
Speaking to reporters, the Karnataka minister said he had “nothing to fear” as long as the Constitution was on his side and asserted that attempts to intimidate him would not stop him from raising questions about the RSS.
As the security measures and political exchanges draw attention, Belagavi police reiterated that surveillance, vehicle checks and increased deployments are intended to ensure the gatherings pass off peacefully.
