Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday asked the RSS to register itself, clarify its legal status, and disclose its sources of funding, income, expenditure and assets, arguing that it must uphold transparency and constitutional accountability.
Congress leader Priyank Kharge. (File)
Marking the RSS completing 100 years of existence, the minister wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking clarification on its organisational status.
Posting his letter to Bhagwat on the social media platform 'X', Priyank said that an organisation claiming to have over 60,000 shakhas and crores of swayamsevaks across India and abroad must uphold transparency, accountability and constitutional compliance.
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Calling upon the RSS to use its centenary not merely for celebration but for constitutional introspection, Priyank said, "The best tribute it can pay to India in its 100th year is to register itself, disclose its activities and finances, pay all applicable taxes, and function as a transparent and accountable organisation within the framework of Indian law."
The minister, who is the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, pointed out that according to the 2025–26 Karnataka report of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the RSS's highest decision-making body, the organisation has 4,127 daily shakhas, 1,389 weekly milans and 60 monthly mandalis in the state.
He said the report also noted that the RSS had organised 2,194 Samajotsavas with 19.61 lakh participants and conducted 562 route marches involving 2.21 lakh uniformed participants across Karnataka.
The minister said that the RSS, with such an extensive organisational presence involving public mobilisation, uniformed route marches and large-scale outreach, cannot be treated as a private or informal arrangement.
He added that the organisation's activities raise legitimate questions about legal status, accountability, financial transparency, public order, permissions, funding sources and compliance with Indian laws.
In the letter dated June 13, which was shared with the media on Monday, Priyank said, "We request the RSS to depute its authorised office bearers to explain the legal grounds on which an organisation of such magnitude continues to function without being formally registered as a legal entity or as a 'body of individuals' under applicable laws."
He asked why the RSS should remain exempt when citizens, labour organisations, NGOs, trusts, temples and companies are expected to register, disclose and comply with the law.
Also Read: ‘Grave lapse’, says Kerala CM after three VCs attend RSS chief Bhagwat’s lecture
"In this context, it is only fair and necessary that the RSS also places the following information in the public domain: its legal status and organisational structure, details of its office bearers and authorised representatives, sources of donations, contributions and income, and details of expenditure and assets," the letter said.
He sought clarity on whether applicable taxes are being paid in accordance with law, the legal basis for its activities without formal registration, and the constitutional and statutory framework under which it operates at such a scale.
He further sought details of permissions, authorisations and compliance mechanisms for public events, route marches, mass gatherings and other organised activities.
Priyank said that an organisation which regularly invokes nationalism, discipline and duty must also demonstrate these values through transparency, compliance and respect for the Constitution.
According to him, the RSS cannot expect citizens to follow rules while exempting itself from the same standards.
Kharge seeks response
He appealed to Bhagwat for a formal response to his letter.
Taking to 'X', the Karnataka BJP criticised Priyank, saying that in his enthusiasm as a first-time Home Minister, he appeared to be attempting to win the approval of his leader, Rahul Gandhi.
"It appears that Home Minister Priyank Kharge cannot sleep without talking about the RSS. It is truly laughable that the Congress, which has allegedly been supporting anti-national organisations such as KFD (Karnataka Forum for Dignity) and PFI through the back door, is today speaking about the registration of the patriotic organisation RSS," it alleged.
The BJP claimed that since its inception, lakhs of RSS volunteers have risked their lives in the service of the nation.
"Various provisions of the Constitution make it clear that registration of associations and organisations is not mandatory. It is the height of foolishness to think that an organisation that has completed a century of existence can be controlled through political authority," the party alleged.
Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised Priyank, saying he was not the first person to question the RSS's registration or audit.
"The Constitution of India grants every ci…
Read the full article at Hindustan Times →📄Source document: Priyank Kharge's letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
7 reports
Hindustan TimesIndependentLeft2 days agoKarnataka home minister Priyank Kharge responded to BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi's comments, asserting that as a follower of B.R. Ambedkar, he is 'afraid of none.' This comes amid a debate over the legal status of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Kharge previously requested detailed information about the RSS's registration, financials, and organizational structure, which the RSS and BJP rejected. Kharge emphasized that the RSS, due to its significant national influence, should meet the same standards of transparency and constitutional accountability as other public entities.
Bias read (Left): The article frames Priyank Kharge's response as a defense of Ambedkarite principles against BJP MP Jigajinagi's remarks, emphasizing transparency demands on the RSS. The language highlights Kharge's alignment with Ambedkar and criticizes the BJP/RSS stance, suggesting a left-leaning perspective.
Official sources cited
- government Priyank Kharge's letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
- organisation RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's response to Kharge's letter
The HinduIndependentRight6 days agoRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat dismissed Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge's call for greater transparency from the RSS, stating that the demand was 'driven by politics rather than genuine concerns over accountability.' The controversy began after Kharge sent an open letter to Bhagwat seeking details about the RSS's registration status, sources of funding, income, expenditure, and assets. Kharge argued that an organization with a nationwide presence should be subject to public scrutiny like NGOs, companies, and religious institutions. During an RSS centenary outreach program, Bhagwat claimed the
Bias read (Right): The article presents the RSS chief's response to calls for transparency, using language that frames the demand as politically motivated rather than legitimate. It emphasizes the RSS's stance without providing counterpoints or balanced perspectives from other parties involved.
Official sources cited
- organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement at the RSS centenary outreach program in Thrissur
The HinduIndependentLeft6 days ago PDP objects to the transfer of Waqf Board CEOPDP State secretary V. M. Aliyar objected to the transfer of the Chief Executive Officer of the Kerala State Waqf Board, alleging it was done to protect political interests related to the Munambam Waqf holding. The transfer occurred amid the Union Ministry for Minority Affairs requesting an explanation from the Board regarding the upload of details about the Munambam holding to the ministry's central portal. PDP also criticized three Kerala university vice-chancellors for attending an event where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat participated.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the transfer of the Waqf Board CEO as politically motivated and criticizes officials for associating with the RSS, a right-wing organization. This suggests a left-leaning perspective by highlighting potential political interference and linking actions to right-wing affiliations.
Official sources cited
- organisation PDP State secretary V. M. Aliyar
- government Union Ministry for Minority Affairs
Hindustan TimesIndependentLeft6 days ago Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge urges RSS to register, disclose finances on its centenaryKarnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has urged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to register itself, clarify its legal status, and disclose its financial details, including sources of funding, income, expenditure, and assets. The request comes as the RSS marks its centenary. Kharge emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance, suggesting that registering and disclosing financial information would be the best tribute to India during the RSS's 100th year.
Bias read (Left): The article presents a demand by a prominent Congress leader for the RSS—a right-wing organization—to comply with legal and financial transparency requirements. The framing emphasizes the need for constitutional accountability and suggests that the RSS’s lack of registration and disclosure is a flaw
Official sources cited
- government Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge's letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
- government Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Report (2025–26)
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter7 days ago ‘We’re not like Hitler': RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says doors of dialogue with Pakistan should be kept openRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that the organization does not have an independent foreign policy and aligns with the Indian government's position. He emphasized that the RSS is not comparable to Hitler and advocated keeping dialogue channels open with Pakistan.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a direct quote from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat without editorializing or biased language. It reports his statement about the RSS aligning with the Indian government's foreign policy stance and his comment on maintaining dialogue with Pakistan. The content remains neutral in tone,陈述
Hindustan TimesIndependentRight8 days ago Reference to people, not country: Bhagwat on Hosabale's remarks about dialogue with PakRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat defended Dattatreya Hosabale's comments supporting dialogue with Pakistan, emphasizing discussions with the people of Pakistan rather than the country itself. He stated that the RSS would align with the Indian government's stance on Pakistan but noted that there are segments in Pakistan that oppose the partition of India and admire the RSS. Bhagwat argued that maintaining dialogue is necessary to ensure peace and justice while preserving positive values.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the discussion around maintaining dialogue with Pakistan through the lens of promoting peaceful coexistence and preserving 'good' values, which aligns with conservative and nationalist rhetoric. The emphasis on 'vanquishing injustice and tyranny' while preserving 'what is good' is
Official sources cited
- organisation RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter8 days ago RSS largest yet ‘most misunderstood’ organisation, says Mohan BhagwatRSS leader Mohan Bhagwat stated that the RSS is the 'largest yet most misunderstood' organization. He emphasized that the RSS is not a reaction to any specific situation and is not opposed to any section of society or political party.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual statement from Mohan Bhagwat without apparent bias, framing, or slanted language. It does not include opinionated commentary or selective sourcing that would indicate a leaning.
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