Priyank Karg on Tuesday doubled down on his demand to bring the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) under a formal legal framework, rejecting attacks from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and said there was nothing unconstitutional in seeking transparency and accountability from an organization with a large public presence.
The Karnataka Minister also denied allegations circulating on social media that Bhagwat’s video was a response to his letter. Karg said he sent the message and announced it on June 15, while the RSS chief’s reaction was shared online on June 13 or 14.
“A video of Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji is being widely circulated because the response to my post is false. I sent my message and put it on social media on June 15, while this reaction was by the RSS chief on June 13 and 14,” Karji wrote.
Defending its position, Karg said the RSS is free to function as a cultural organisation, but it cannot exercise broad social and political influence, while claiming it is not bound to answer public questions.
He said: “The RSS has every right to be a cultural organisation. 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 bears no public accountability.”
Karg argued that the BJP itself regards the RSS as its ideological father and said the organization’s influence on public life made transparency essential. He pointed to what he described as a network of more than 2,500 affiliate organizations in India and abroad, donations flowing through this ecosystem, and the RSS headquarters in New Delhi and state capitals. He also pointed out the taxpayer-funded security protocols for Bhagwat and other RSS employees.
“The only expectation is that it operates transparently and within the law, like any other regulated body in this country,” he said, adding that no institution, regardless of its age or influence, should consider itself outside the scope of legal accountability.
Karg also rejected arguments comparing the RSS with Hinduism. “RSS cannot be considered representative of any religion when it is only 100 years of existence and no government has asked for registration of any religion,” he wrote.
Earlier in the day, Kharge, while speaking to reporters, defended his demand for legal oversight of the organization. “Is it wrong to demand transparency? Is it wrong to demand that organizations operate under the Constitution?” he asked.
He said his concerns were based on reports regarding the RSS and pointed to its activities nationwide, including about 4,120 shakas and about 5,000 rallies. “When thousands of people are mobilized for such programmes, shouldn’t there be transparency about how these rallies are organised?” He asked, stressing that every organization must work within the framework of the law.
The remarks sparked a response from Opposition leader R Ashoka, who said the Congress lacked the moral authority to question the RSS. He alleged that the party has political ties with organizations like the Indian Federation Muslim League and referred to the controversy over alleged pro-Pakistan slogans near Vidhana Soudha, accusing Kharge of defending those involved rather than working against them. “RSS has dedicated itself to the service of Mother India for nearly 100 years without seeking anything in return. Questioning its legitimacy and patriotism is not only laughable, it is also shameful,” Ashoka said.
It was also alleged that Karg was targeting the RSS to strengthen his position within the Congress and divert attention from his performance in positions including IT, biotechnology, rural development and responsibilities related to Kalaburagi region.
Kharge found support for his position from other senior leaders.
Urban Development Minister Dr Yathendra Siddaramaiah said the RSS is working on behalf of the BJP and should disclose details of its finances. “RSS is not just a cultural organisation, it is an organization that works on behalf of the BJP. The organization has assets worth crores of rupees across the country. Lakhs and lakhs of money also come in. They have to give an account for that. All transactions have to be verified. So, they have to be registered,” he said.
“There is no organization greater than the law of the land. The Home Minister is right to insist on RSS registration,” he added.
KPCC president B.K. also objected. Hariprasad on Bhagwat’s comparison of the RSS with Hinduism, saying it belittles a faith with a history spanning thousands of years. “Hinduism is not the property of any one organization. It is a cultural heritage that is larger, broader and more comprehensive than the RSS,” Hariprasad said. He also asked whether BJP leaders agree with the suggestion that Hinduism and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are one and the same.
