Published Feb 16, 2026 | 4:23 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 16, 2026 | 5:06 PM
Minister Priyank Kharge. (Supplied)
Synopsis: While addressing a private event to mark the release of Karavaliya Raktha Kanneeru, a book recounting communal riots in Karnataka’s coastal region on Sunday, 15 February, Kharge said, “It (RSS) has a network of more than 2,500 organisations, they are from America, England. They take money from them. I am telling that these people are into money laundering.”
Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has launched another scathing attack against the RSS, questioning the body’s source of income and accusing it of being involved in money laundering.
While addressing a private event to mark the release of Karavaliya Raktha Kanneeru, a book recounting communal riots in Karnataka’s coastal region on Sunday, 15 February, Kharge said, “It (RSS) has a network of more than 2,500 organisations, they are from America, England. They take money from them. I am telling that these people are into money laundering.”
He further questioned where the RSS was getting its money from. “They want us to be good citizens, pay income tax, but they want to remain free. How is it possible. We will have to question this,” he said.
Later, while speaking to reporters, Kharge, while pointing out that RSS is an unregistered organisation, asked, “It is good that all organisations should come under the ambit of law and constitution, whether it is RSS or any other organisations. Are they above law and constitution. Mohan Bhagwat says it (RSS) is a body of individuals. So is Bangalore Club, have they not registered? Are they not paying taxes?”
Reacting to Kharge’s remarks, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka on Monday, 16 February, alleged that by openly abusing the RSS, criticising it, the Congress leader can “please the high-command leaders and secure some position in the party.”
“If you openly abuse the RSS organisation, continuously criticise it, you can please the high-command leaders and secure some position in the party, maybe even gain more power — deluded by this illusion, Minister Priyank Kharge has made it his daily routine,” Ashoka said in a post on X.
He further likened “abusing the RSS” to “spitting at the sky”.
ಆರ್ ಎಸ್ಎಸ್ ಸಂಘಟನೆಯನ್ನು ವಾಚಾಮಗೋಚರವಾಗಿ ಬೈದರೆ, ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ನಿಂದಿಸಿದರೆ ಹೈಕಮಾಂಡ್ ನಾಯಕರನ್ನು ಮೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿ ಪಕ್ಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನಾದರೂ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನ ಪಡೆಯಬಹುದು, ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ಸಿಗಬಹುದು ಎಂಬ ಭ್ರಮೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸಚಿವ @PriyankKharge ಅವರು ಅದನ್ನೇ ನಿತ್ಯ ಚಾಳಿ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
4 ದಶಕಗಳಿಂದ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಜನರ… pic.twitter.com/5EShrLF6pJ
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) February 16, 2026
Several other BJP leaders also have criticised Kharge’s allegations of money laundering against RSS.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that making “sweeping allegations” such as “money laundering” without presenting evidence is “irresponsible and deeply disrespectful to millions of volunteers committed to disciplined nation-building and public service.” “If there were even an ounce of illegality in its functioning, why did successive governments — including those led by Priyank Kharge’s own party — fail to take action? Baseless rhetoric cannot substitute for facts,” he said in a post on X on Monday.
He further said that Kharge should explain why Kalaburagi “continues to lag behind on several development indicators despite the Kharge family representing the region for decades since 1972.”
For nearly a century, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(@RSSorg) has functioned openly across the country, contributing to education, social service, disaster relief and rural development. If there were even an ounce of illegality in its functioning, why did successive governments…
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) February 16, 2026
BJP MP PC Mohan too condemned Priyank Kharge “for making serious allegations against the RSS without proof.” “Elected representatives must speak responsibly and base their claims on facts. Such statements create confusion and divert attention from the real issues of governance and development,” he said in a post on X.
Strongly condemn Priyank Kharge for making serious allegations against the RSS without proof. Elected representatives must speak responsibly and base their claims on facts. Such statements create confusion and divert attention from the real issues of governance and development.
— P C Mohan (@PCMohanMP) February 16, 2026
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Anisha Reddy)
