In a sharply worded speech on Sunday, Karnataka’s Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge launched a strong critique of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, likening the organisation to “Satan” and branding the Bharatiya Janata Party as its “shadow.”
Speaking at a public event, Kharge alleged that the ideological influence of the RSS heavily shapes the BJP’s political direction. He argued that without the Sangh’s backing, the BJP’s political standing would significantly weaken, claiming it would struggle even more than several regional outfits.
The minister urged critics of the BJP to focus directly on the RSS rather than only targeting the ruling party. “If we confront the root cause instead of its shadow, the nation will see meaningful change,” he said, intensifying his attack on the organisation’s role in national politics.
Kharge also questioned the RSS’s legal and financial framework. He claimed the organisation operates through thousands of affiliated bodies, including groups overseas in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, and demanded clarity on how these entities are funded.
Raising concerns about regulatory compliance, he accused the RSS of expecting citizens to follow constitutional obligations while allegedly avoiding similar scrutiny itself. “No organisation should place itself above the law. Transparency and accountability must apply uniformly,” he stated.
In an apparent reference to remarks made in the past by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Kharge criticised the position that the RSS does not require formal registration because it functions as a collective of individuals. He maintained that all bodies operating within the country must adhere to constitutional and legal standards.
