Published Oct 21, 2026 | 12:29 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 21, 2026 | 12:29 PM
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge.
Synopsis: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge asked RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat to clarify the nature of his organisation that regularly comments on political, economic, defence and foreign policy matters. Kharge posed the query a day after Bhagwat said in Nagpur that evil forces were trying to dismantle India and the Sangh, and ruled out a regime change.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday, 21 October, questioned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)’s claim to be a cultural organisation, asking chief Mohan Bhagwat to clarify its nature and alleging that it regularly comments on political, economic, defence, and foreign policy matters.
“Let him decide whether the RSS is a cultural organisation or a political organisation,” Kharge said, calling on the organisation to register itself and enter politics formally.
Kharge posed the question a day after Bhagwat said in Nagpur that evil forces were trying to dismantle India and the Sangh, and ruled out a regime change. The RSS leader’s statement came amid nationwide protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
On RSS route marches (patha sanchalana) in Karnataka, Kharge said the organisation must seek police permission rather than merely inform the authorities. “The same rules apply to everyone, including the RSS. The RSS is not above the law or the Constitution,” he said.
Kharge also said the police would review proposed routes and resolve any issues with local authorities, adding that they would not deny permission if the requests were appropriate.
“The police department is not at the beck and call of the RSS. They should seek permission, and the same rules apply to everyone,” Kharge said.
Also Read: ‘Evil forces trying to dismantle India,’ says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
A day ago, Kharge told the RSS to seek formal police permission for its Vijayadashami route marches on 25 October, saying that merely informing the police or asking them to cooperate does not amount to obtaining permission.
In a sarcastic post on X, the home minister asked RSS members to submit applications under the prescribed procedure and await approval from the competent authorities. He shared two representations submitted by RSS representatives to the Bengaluru police, dated 13 October and 15 October, informing them of route marches planned in Laggere and Kamalanagar.
“My dearest Swayamsevaks of the RSS, Hope the Dasara festivities are in full swing! Not to be a wet blanket, but a gentle reminder, merely “informing” or telling the Home Department to “cooperate” or “make necessary arrangements” is not the same as obtaining permission (sic),” he wrote.
Kharge cited the RSS’s Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Annual Report for 2025-26, which, he said, recorded 562 route marches across Karnataka involving 2,21,963 uniformed participants.
“…when lakhs of you intend to march through Karnataka’s streets on single day at the same time, the Police Department has considerable preparations to make: deployment of personnel, transportation, food, traffic management, security arrangements and other logistics. All of this requires planning, manpower and public resources. So, please fill out the prescribed application form, provide the necessary details and await formal permission. Happy Dasara!” he added.
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Kharge has been on an offensive against the RSS. On 5 October, he called it an “unregistered money-laundering unit” and alleged that it carried out “illegal activities” in the name of religion.
He also said Hindus have nothing to learn from the RSS. “There is a big difference between Hinduism and Hindutva. RSS started Hindutva. Hinduism was there for 3,000 years. So we don’t have anything to learn; no Hindu has anything to learn from RSS.”
On 13 June, Kharge sought clarification on how the RSS continued functioning without registration despite, by its own admission, having an extensive organisational presence across the country.
On 10 June, he had questioned why BJP leaders were responding on behalf of the RSS.
“And why is the BJP speaking? Has the RSS died? Do they not have a tongue? If I speak about the RSS, why do they answer? Have BJP leaders taken a contract for them?” he said.
Kharge also invited RSS leaders either to summon him to their offices or visit his office to explain why the organisation should not be formally registered.
Earlier this year, Kharge alleged that the RSS was involved in money laundering and questioned how it financed its domestic and international operations through a network of more than 2,500 affiliated organisations.
Last year, RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said the organisation functions as a recognised “body of individuals” and that its donations, or “guru dakshina”, had been exempted from income tax following litigation. He also said courts had recognised its status as a body of individuals.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
