A fresh political confrontation has erupted over the functioning of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), with Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge demanding detailed answers about the organisation’s legal status, funding sources and financial transparency.
In a letter addressed to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Kharge raised questions about how one of India’s largest socio-cultural organisations operates and whether its activities are subject to adequate public accountability.
Kharge Demands Clarity on RSS Funding
The Karnataka minister said an organisation with a massive presence across the country should provide clear information about how it is funded and managed.
He sought details regarding the RSS’s legal structure, its office-bearers, sources of donations, expenditure patterns, assets and tax compliance.
Kharge argued that organisations carrying out large-scale public activities should function with transparency and remain open to scrutiny.
“Every institution working in public life must be accountable under the law,” he said while explaining the reasons behind his letter.
Questions Raised Over Organisational Structure
The minister pointed to the RSS’s extensive network in Karnataka, including thousands of daily and weekly gatherings, public events and route marches.
According to him, such a widespread presence naturally raises questions regarding permissions, financial management and the legal framework under which the organisation conducts its activities.
Kharge also sought clarification on whether the RSS operates under any formal registration and what legal provisions allow it to function on such a large scale.
Bhagwat Rejects Demand, Calls It Political
Responding to the controversy, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat dismissed the questions as politically motivated.
He said the organisation has been functioning for nearly a century and has never been required to register under any law simply because it does not seek government funding.
Bhagwat maintained that the RSS operates openly and transparently, rejecting suggestions that it functions in secrecy.
“This is politics. Such attempts have been made before, and we are accustomed to them,” he said during a public event.
Debate Over Registration Intensifies
Bhagwat further argued that many organisations and traditional institutions in India function without formal registration. He stated that the RSS had submitted its constitution to the government decades ago and that authorities had accepted it without demanding registration.
The RSS chief also claimed that tax authorities and courts have previously recognised the organisation’s status and granted relevant exemptions.
Political Row Set to Escalate
The exchange between Kharge and Bhagwat has triggered a wider political debate, with opposition and ruling party leaders taking sharply different positions.
While Congress leaders have backed calls for greater transparency and financial disclosure, BJP leaders have accused the Karnataka government of targeting the RSS for political reasons.
With both sides refusing to back down, the controversy is likely to remain a major political flashpoint in the coming days.
