Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday addressed an open letter to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, calling for detailed disclosures regarding the organization's legal status, finances, organizational structure, and tax compliance. The letter, posted on X, congratulated the RSS on its centenary but emphasized that its extensive scale and influence necessitate public accountability.
Scale of Operations in Karnataka
Citing the RSS's own annual report, Kharge highlighted the organization's activities in Karnataka, including 4,127 daily shakhas, 1,389 weekly milans, and 60 monthly mandalis. He also noted 2,194 Samajotsavas attended by over 19.6 lakh people and 562 route marches involving more than 2.2 lakh uniformed participants. “Such an extensive organisational presence, especially when it involves regular public mobilisation, uniformed route marches and large-scale social outreach, cannot be treated as a private or informal arrangement,” he wrote.
Demands for Transparency
The Congress leader argued that the scale of the RSS raises legitimate questions about its legal status, accountability, financial transparency, permissions, funding sources, and compliance with Indian laws. He called for the public disclosure of its legal status, organizational structure, office-bearers, donation sources, income and expenditure details, assets, tax compliance records, and the legal basis for operating without formal registration. Additionally, he sought information on permissions obtained for public events, route marches, and mass gatherings.
“In a constitutional democracy, no organisation, however old, large or influential, can remain above scrutiny,” Kharge stated, noting that trusts, NGOs, societies, religious institutions, and companies are routinely required to disclose their activities and finances. He further contended that an organization invoking nationalism, discipline, and duty should demonstrate transparency and constitutional compliance. “The RSS cannot ask ordinary Indians to follow rules while exempting itself from the same standards,” he wrote.
Call for Constitutional Introspection
Kharge described the RSS centenary as an opportunity for “constitutional introspection” and urged the organization to formally register, disclose its finances and activities, pay applicable taxes, and function transparently under Indian law. The letter followed his defense of Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's demand that university vice-chancellors apologize for attending an RSS program. Kharge questioned the participation of educational heads in RSS events, asking what message such appearances send to students. “When anybody is in a position like a vice chancellor, they are responsible for an entire university where the futures of lakhs of students are decided. If you attend and sit in these RSS meetings, which promote a specific ideology and do not cultivate a scientific temperament, what kind of message are you sending to the students?” he told reporters in Bengaluru.
