After much uncertainty, the annual meet of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the highest decision-making body of RSS, which was scheduled to start from Sunday for three days has been cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Around 1,500 members were supposed to attend the meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from 15 to 17 March.
“The meeting has been cancelled and not postponed. The annual meeting will not take place this year. The next meeting will be held in Nagpur in 2021.”Senior RSS functionary to The Quint
RSS workers have been asked to cooperate with the administration create awareness among public and to face down the challenge.
BJP National President JP Nadda and presidents and other state office-bearers of 35 parivar organisations – like VHP, ABVP and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh – were to participate in the meet, which RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Suresh Joshi were to address.
Earlier, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had announced a week-long ban starting 14 March on malls, pubs, marriage functions, conferences and sporting events across the state. However, concerns were raised back then as sources within the RSS had said that the meet was still on.
Before the meet was cancelled, RSS's Prachar Pramukh (joint publicity chief) Narender Thakur had said it was mandatory for RSS workers and office-bearers to undergo screening for coronavirus before attending the ABPS meeting. Security personnel and journalists covering the meeting would also be screened, he had said.
With 5 cases reported in the state as of Friday, 13 March, Karnataka had reported the first death of a patient due to complications from the disease.
“From tomorrow for one week, all malls, cinema theatres, pubs and night clubs, exhibitions, summer camps, swimming classes, sporting events like cricket and football, marriages and conferences will be closed across the state. We request citizens to not to hold and postpone weddings and other events during this time.”Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa on Friday, 13 March
The ban also applies to music festivals and dine-in restaurants, with only home deliveries being permitted. Government has also advised IT companies to ask their employees to work from home.
‘Just a Precaution, Not a Law’: Med Edu Minister
Dr K Sudhakar, minister for medical education, meanwhile said that the government had only issued an ‘advisory’ about large gatherings but had not banned any such events.
“It is an advisory from the government of Karnataka to remain at home as much as possible, avoid large gatherings and not working in large office spaces like the IT employees, so many events have been planned and marriages fixed, people just have to careful,” he said.
He said that while malls, theatres, schools and colleges would be closed, people have been asked to maintain basic hygiene guidelines. When inquired about the participation of over 1,000 people at the RSS meet, he said that Indian weddings had ‘50,000 invitees on an average’.
“Karnataka is taking a lead to prevent the spread of the virus. All the individuals have been sensitised enough. It is just a precaution, the government is not stopping anything,” he said.
‘Reprehensible, Govt Should Treat All Equally’: Cong Spokesperson
Earlier, Senior SC advocate and national Congress party spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa slammed the BJP government.
“The government must deal with everybody with an equal hand. Certain people cannot have leeway, while commercial establishments get shut. In fact, it should be the other way around. Malls at least generate revenue, but the RSS destroys it. The govt has behaved most irresponsibly. It should take some corrective action,” he said.
Some social media users said that the meeting should be postponed by a few months.
Screening at the Meet
Before the meet's cancellation, a senior RSS functionary claimed that necessary precautions were being taken. The area was being sanitised and medical teams were on standby, he said.
“We are taking all steps according to national guidelines, people will be screened. Anyway, it is an internal meeting of only RSS members. The public is not allowed,” they said.
Twitter users shared pictures of screening tents at the event site.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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