Priyank Kharge questions RSS' legal status, challenges it to explain registration exemption
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge has renewed his attack on the RSS, questioning the legal basis for its alleged exemption from registration
Bengaluru, Jun 10 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday questioned the legal provision under which the RSS is exempted from registration and accountability to the government, and said he was willing to visit its headquarters to understand the matter.
He also invited RSS leaders to visit his office if they wish to explain the legal status or provisions of exemption.
He said he would evaluate their explanation and apologise if he was wrong.
“Why are they afraid when asked to register? Why is the BJP speaking when we ask the RSS to register? Let them call me to Jagannath Bhavan (BJP state headquarters) or Keshava Krupa (RSS state headquarters). Let them show me the law under which they are exempted from being accountable to the government or government agencies,” Priyank said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “Or let them come to my office with documents. Let them show which law exempts them from following constitutional provisions or laws. I will evaluate it, and if I’m wrong, I will apologise. Otherwise, let them make amends.” Noting that even a street vendor must register in this country, and that temples are accountable for donations received while citizens pay taxes, Priyank asked, “How are they (RSS) exempted? For what? Under which law? Can they do whatever they want?” “They (RSS) repeatedly refer to themselves as a body of individuals. Even the Bangalore Club is a body of individuals; can anyone do it?” he questioned.
Taking a jibe at the BJP, the minister had on Monday asked the party to tell its “political superiors” — the RSS — to keep their registration documents ready.
He referred to the RSS as a “body of individuals”, accusing the organisation and the BJP of “abusing and threatening him”, citing a social media post by an individual.
In November 2025, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in a veiled response to Congress leaders criticising the organisation for operating without registration, said the RSS is recognised as a body of individuals.
According to him, the Income Tax Department and courts have termed the RSS a body of individuals, and the organisation has been exempted from income tax.
In the past, Priyank has repeatedly pointed out that the RSS is an unregistered organisation, accusing it of indulging in “money laundering” and questioning its sources of income.
Meanwhile, responding to Priyank’s statement asking the RSS to keep its registration documents ready, senior BJP leader and MLC C T Ravi said that in the past, leaders, including Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, had tried to ban the RSS and failed.
He further said that even Priyank Kharge’s father, Mallikarjun Kharge, could not do anything when he was the state’s home minister.
Reacting to this, the minister said, “Ravi does not know the RSS’s history. When Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Nehru banned it, the RSS fell at their feet. When Indira Gandhi banned the RSS, the then Sarsanghachalak wrote a long appreciative letter supporting the Emergency. Ask him to read history first.” PTI