No System Of Recording Visitors' Names: RSS On Goolihatti Shekar's Caste Discrimination Allegation

The RSS has denied the allegations of refusing entry to BJP's former Dalit MLA Goolihatti Shekar to Dr Hedgewar's Memorial Building in Nagpur, calling it "baseless" and "inconsequential".

In a press release, the Karnataka Unit of the RSS said there is no system in place to register the names of visitors to the Nagpur Sangh's office.

The statement reads, "Former MLA from Hosadurga, Goolihatti Shekar, alleged in an audio recording that he was denied entry to Dr Hedgewar's Memorial Building in Nagpur due to caste reasons. However, there is no system for recording the names of visitors at all. Free entry is allowed to the RSS office and similar memorials."

The statement adds that the RSS office premises are visited by thousands of people from diverse castes and classes, and there is no possibility of anyone being denied entry. It raises doubts about the timing of Goolihatti Shekar's assertion, highlighting that the purported incident occurred four months prior to the Karnataka assembly elections. Despite numerous interactions with RSS leaders during that period, no complaint was lodged.

The statement expresses surprise at Shekar's decision to make these statements ten months after the incident.

"I experienced this when I went to the Hedgewar Museum in Nagpur. But, RSS has stated that there is no untouchability, and I am happy. I respect RSS," he reiterated.

"Before the elections, assembly committee members had gone for the trip. I went to Hedgewar's Museum thinking that it is our RSS office. Before entering, one of the persons spoke to the person who accompanied me. I stayed out after that. That pain is still fresh in my mind, and that's why I have released the audio," he explained.

The controversy broke out after the former MLA posted a purported audio clip on social media platforms, alleging that he was barred from entering the museum after the staff learnt of his caste.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed that the RSS does not allow 'Shudras' and 'Dalits' into the inner circles of the RSS.

"Shudras and Dalits are effectively barred from the inner circles of the RSS. A revealing WhatsApp voice recording sent by the ex-BJP MLA Goolihatti Shekhar to B L Santosh shows this reality.

Both the BJP and the RSS Parivar, while openly opposing Muslims, also covertly discriminate against Shudras and Dalits. The leaders of the Sangh Parivar, who always chant the mantra 'We are all Hindus', actually try to socially marginalise Shudra and Dalit communities," he said on X.