Sangh Parivar hijacks flood relief camps, forces inmates to chant Ram Bhajan

Belagavi, Aug 11: In what can be termed as an insensitive approach to human suffering, the chauvinists of Sangh Parivar have infiltrated relief centres established by the district administration in flood hit regions of Belagavi in Karnataka in the absence of a full-fledged state government.

Many flood saviours taking shelters in relief camps have reportedly complained against members of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and its women for imposing ‘Ram Bhajan’ on the inmates.

According to media reports, the Sangh Parivar workers including women who have taken over all the relief camps are allegedly taking advantage of the helpless situation of the flood victims.

Irrespective of the communities, the rains have affected the people of Sankeshwar town where the Hiranyakeshi river is in spate.

Shelters have been set up at Shankarling Karyalaya and Ram Talkies in the town. Hundreds of people have found temporary shelter at these centres as their houses have either been inundated or have collapsed following the rain fury.

The Department of Public Instruction in its latest order has asked officials not to mention caste of the inmates to ensure that secular credentials of the state government are maintained.

However, this commitment is not visible at relief centres. There are many inmates belonging to the Muslim faith at Shankarling Karyalaya who are feeling isolated.

As many as 38 villages are under the grip of floods in Hukkeri taluk. Members of Rashtriya Sevik Sangh were found active in the Sai Bhavan relief camp in Belagavi city where Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had visited recently. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman too visited the centre on Saturday. She is also scheduled to visit the centre in Sankeshwar town.

“The issue has come to my notice. Will bring it to notice of higher up and take action accordingly,” said Reshma Talikoti, Tahasildar of Hukkeri said adding that taking advantage of the situation was unjust.