Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Karg on Monday asked the RSS to register itself, clarify its legal status and disclose its sources of funding, income, expenditure and assets, arguing that it should uphold transparency and constitutional accountability.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the RSS, the minister wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking clarification on its organizational status.
Posting his letter to Bhagwat on social media platform ‘X’, Priyank said the organization which claims to have over 60 lakh chachas and crores of swayamsevaks across India and abroad should uphold transparency, accountability and constitutional compliance.
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Priyank called on the RSS to use its centenary not just for celebration but for constitutional reflection, “The best tribute it can pay to India in its 100th year is to register itself, disclose its activities and finances, pay all applicable taxes, and operate as a transparent and accountable organization within the framework of Indian law.”
The minister, who is the son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharg, pointed out that according to the Karnataka report for 2025-26 issued by the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision-making body of the RSS, the organization has 4,127 daily milans, 1,389 weekly milans and 60 monthly mandals in the state.
He said the report also noted that the RSS organized 2,194 Samajotsavas with 19.61 lakh participants and conducted 562 road rallies involving 2.21 lakh uniformed participants across Karnataka.
The RSS, with such an extensive organizational presence that includes public mobilization, uniformed marches and large-scale outreach, cannot be treated as a private or informal arrangement, the minister said.
He added that the organization’s activities raise legitimate questions about legal status, accountability, financial transparency, public order, permissions, sources of funding and compliance with Indian laws.
In the letter dated June 13, which was shared with the media on Monday, Priyank said: “We request the RSS to authorize its authorized officials to explain the legal grounds on which an organization of this size continues to function without being formally registered as a legal entity or as a ‘group of individuals’ under applicable laws.”
He wondered why the RSS remained exempt when citizens, labor organisations, NGOs, trusts, temples and companies were expected to register, disclose and comply with the law.
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“In this context, it is fair and necessary that the RSS also publishes the following information in the public domain: its legal status and organizational structure, details of its officers and authorized representatives, sources of donations, contributions and income, and details of expenses and assets,” the letter said.
He requested clarification on whether the applicable taxes are paid in accordance with the law, the legal basis for their activities without formal registration, and the constitutional and legal framework under which they operate on this scale.
He also sought details of permissions, licenses and compliance mechanisms for public events, marches, mass gatherings and other organized activities.
An organization that regularly invokes nationalism, discipline and duty must also demonstrate these values through transparency, compliance and respect for the Constitution, Priyank said.
According to him, the RSS cannot expect citizens to follow rules while exempting itself from the same standards.
He went out seeking an answer
Bhagwat appealed for an official response to his letter.
Moving on to ‘X’, the Karnataka BJP criticized Priyank, saying that in his excitement as home minister for the first time, he seemed to be trying to get the approval of its leader Rahul Gandhi.
“It seems that Home Minister Priyank Karg cannot sleep without talking about the RSS. It is really laughable that the Congress, which allegedly supports anti-national organizations like KFD (Karnataka Forum for Dignity) and PFI through the back door, is today talking about registering the national organization RSS,” he said.
The BJP claimed that since its inception, thousands of RSS volunteers have risked their lives in the service of the nation.
The party claimed, “Various provisions in the Constitution make it clear that registration of associations and organizations is not mandatory. It is the height of foolishness to believe that an organization that has completed a century of existence can be controlled through political power.”
Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticized Priyank, saying he was not the first person to question the RSS’s registration or audit.
He added, “The Constitution of India grants every citizen the right to form organizations and associations. This right was not granted by Priyank Karg, but rather by Babasaheb Ambedkar.”
