B L Santosh silent on FIR against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat

Bengaluru

B L Santosh, BJP National General Secretary (Organisation), has remained conspicuously silent on the First Information Report (FIR) registered against Dakshina Kannada (DK) RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.

In recent days, Santosh has spoken vocally against the ruling Congress on the Dharmasthala issue and the denial of permission for the RSS to hold a route march in Kalaburagi. Regarding Dharmasthala, Santosh had posted his views on social media platforms and even cryptically spoke about the issue publicly. Through his statements, Santosh provided direction to the Karnataka BJP in both controversies.

However, Santosh has not expressed any opinion on the FIR against Bhat. Bhat enjoys massive support in DK, often referred to as the Sangh’s Hindutva laboratory. The FIR was registered on October 25, but even after four days, Santosh has neither shown solidarity with Bhat on Facebook nor posted about the same on X (formerly Twitter). This has now raised questions about the relationship between the two leaders.

Sources within the Sangh Parivar told blrpost.com that for Bhat, the adversaries are not in the Congress but within the RSS itself. A few years ago, when students at Sri Rama School in Kalladka reenacted the demolition of the Babri Masjid through a dance performance, a senior RSS leader reportedly distanced himself from the school, saying it was not run by the RSS. An FIR was also registered at that time.

The source said Santosh’s silence is conspicuous and makes it evident that his relationship with Bhat is strained. Many in the DK RSS and BJP cadres are now discussing the issue privately. The grassroots workers believe Santosh’s silence could have an adverse impact on the party.

This discontent is further deepened as many workers are already upset with leaders for holding a rally in support of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade after the formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT was constituted to probe the alleged mass burial in Dharmasthala village. Bhat, meanwhile, has distanced himself from the Dharmasthala establishment and has not spoken about the issue, as the district’s sentiment largely supports the investigation.