Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday defended his demand for transparency from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), arguing that the state has the right to know more about an organization whose public events require a security cover from the Home Ministry.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism over his recent remarks about the RSS, Karg asked: “When the RSS marches in public, who provides them with security?… The Home Ministry provides them with security, right? So I want to know who I give security to.”
Watch his statements here:
Kharge’s remarks came amid a political row sparked by a letter he wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking clarification on the organisation’s legal status, structure and finances.
Explaining his stand, the Karnataka minister asked whether it was unreasonable for the government to seek information about an organization mobilizing large numbers of people across the state. “When 20,000 people congregate again and again across Karnataka, according to an RSS report, whose job is it to find out who these people are, and what they are converging for?” he asked.
Earlier this week, he said there was nothing unconstitutional about asking questions of an organization with a large public presence.
“Is it wrong to demand transparency? Is it wrong to demand that organizations operate under the Constitution?” he asked.
Read also: He came out defending the call for legal censorship of the RSS
His comments come days after he wrote to Bhagwat urging the RSS to disclose details regarding its organizational status, sources of funding, income, expenditure and assets. Karg said in the letter that constitutional accountability should apply to all organizations that play an important role in public life.
Defending his demand for legal oversight, Kharge pointed out the scale of RSS activities across the country. Citing figures from RSS reports, he cited around 4,120 shakas and nearly 5,000 marchers.
“When thousands of people are mobilized for such programmes, shouldn’t there be transparency about how these rallies are organised?” he asked, reiterating that every organization must operate within the framework of the law.
Also read: ‘Hindu Dharma is not recorded’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat speaks on Priyank Karg’s open letter
The BJP MP’s statements raise controversy
The controversy escalated on Thursday after BJP MP Ramesh Jejajnagi questioned Priyank Karg’s criticism of the RSS and made remarks that sparked a political row.
In response to Karg’s request for more transparency from the organisation, Jigajinaji questioned why a “Dalit person” would raise questions about the RSS. He also warned that “no one has been spared from messing with the RSS.”
Karg responded sharply, saying that he was not intimidated by such statements and took his courage from Dr BR Ambedkar. He also said that Jigajinaji’s comments deserve scrutiny, especially since the BJP MP himself belongs to the Dalit community.
(With agency inputs)
