Online Desk: The right-wing Hindutva group, Sri Rama Sene, recently organised an arms training camp in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. The December 25-29 event in Todalbagi village of Jamkhandi city has raised public concern and prompted an official investigation.
Several videos and photographs of the five-day camp surfaced on social media. The Bagalkot Superintendent of Police Amarnath Reddy confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the entire issue. “We are examining the type of arms used — whether they were firearms or airguns. Appropriate action will follow if any illegal activity is detected,” he was quoted by media reports as saying.
According to police sources, the camp was conducted within the jurisdiction of the Savalagi police station. The final day reportedly included gun training. “The organisers claim it was a personality development programme, but we are verifying the nature of the weapons involved,” Reddy said.
The incident recalls a similar controversy two years ago when the Bajrang Dal held an arms training camp at a school in Madikeri, Kodagu district. Participants were reportedly trained to use airguns and tridents. At the time, Congress leader Siddaramaiahcriticised the BJP government for permitting such activities, while BJP leaders defended the camp as harmless.
Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik had previously announced in 2021 that the organisation would host “physical training” camps, teaching yoga, karate, suryanamaskar, and lathiprahar (stick fighting). However, the recent incident raises questions about the group’s activities and intentions. The police inquiry is ongoing; as such arms training camps are unwarranted and may create chaos in public.
