New Delhi, June 16: A day after Rashtriya Swayansewak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat brushed aside Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge’s letter seeking clarification on the organisational status of the RSS, saying the issue is political and not something that requires a response, the Congress leader on Tuesday reiterated his demand for the RSS to register itself, citing the organisation’s significant social and political influence despite its claims of having no political agenda.
Kharge, who was in the national capital, trained his guns at the RSS as he said that as Karnataka Home Minister he is responsible for the safety of the people and the report by RSS organisation itself states that they organise 20 lakh people every year.
Speaking to the media here, the Congress leader said, “He has not responded to my letter that I had written to him. I wrote the letter on June 13 and dispatched and made public on June 15. I heard his comments in Kerala’s Thrissur made by him on our previous demands.”
Kharge said that he has raised seven points in his letter very categorically demanding transparency on the organisation’s legal status, finances and tax compliance.
Referring to the RSS’s vast organisational network and public outreach programmes, Kharge questioned how an entity of such scale continues to operate without formal registration while urging it to disclose donations, assets, expenditures and tax records.
While responding to the The Daily Guardian question about Bhagwat’s response that RSS has been functioning for over 100 years and it has submitted its constitution with the government in 1960 and they do not receive any government funds, Kharge said that whether they receive or don’t receive donation or funds from the government, but they should tell that how Bhagwat is getting security from the taxpayers money.
H said, “The RSS chief enjoys Advanced Security Liaison protocol and other people of RSS have protocols funded by the taxpayer and the public is entitled to know whether the organisation complies with the same legal standards expected of everyone else.”
The ASL security protocol is prescribed for Union Home Minister, Defence Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, the Congress leader said, adding that to provide the security cover to Bhagwat, taxpayers money is being used.
He also asserted that the threat assessment is looked upon by the central government and thus it is upto the central government to decide on providing security cover.
Kharge also rebutted Bhagwat’s claim of creating confusion among the public and said that the RSS’s Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha in its report stated that every year they organise 20 lakh people.
“So as Karnataka Home Minister, law and order and safety of people is my responsibility and it is reason why I am asking this,” the Minister said.
The move has revived a long-standing debate over accountability and transparency within the RSS as it celebrates its centenary year.
Lamenting at the RSS for feeling obliged to register, Kharge said, “In a constitutional democracy, no institution, however old or influential, enjoys that privileg.”
“Let me set the record straight. The RSS has every right to be a cultural organization. That is their choice. But it cannot simultaneously exercise enormous social and political influence while repeatedly insisting that it has no political agenda and therefore owes no public accountability. The BJP itself acknowledges the RSS as its ideological parent and their sway over public life is undeniable,” he said.
He also targeted the BJP for coming in defence of RSS and said, “I have asked questions with the RSS, let their office bearers and representatives answer my questions mentioned in the letter. Why BJP is coming in defence of RSS.”
While responding to the Bhagwat’s comment that they have been habitual of facing such questions and also ban on its 100 year journey, Kharge reminded the RSS that it was banned twice in Independent India.
He said that first Sardar Patel banned the RSS and then RSS leaders went to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for mercy. Similarly during Emergency it was also banned by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.
Kharge also said that the only expectation is that RSS functions transparently and within the framework of the law, like every other organised body in this country.
“It is pursuant to this principle that a formal response has been requested in writing.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress President B K Hariprasad on Monday also backed Kharge and said Bhagwat’s attempt to equate RSS with Hindu Dharma is ‘deeply shameful’.
“It is deeply shameful that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is attempting to equate the RSS with Hindu Dharma. Hindu Dharma is a timeless, diverse and inclusive civilisation followed by billions across generations. It cannot and should not be reduced to any single organization,” he posted on X.
“Comparing an organization with a controversial and dubious historical background to an ancient faith is an insult to every Hindu who believes that Hinduism is far bigger than politics or ideology,” he said.
Hariprasad said, those who constantly claim to be the sole protectors of Hinduism and lecture others on being ‘true Hindus’ must answer: “Do they agree that Hindu Dharma and RSS are one and the same? If not, why the silence now.”
“….Hinduism belongs to all Hindus, not to any one group claiming ownership over it,” Hariprasad added.
