Karnataka Minister Demands Transparency from RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat

Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge on Monday wrote to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking detailed disclosures on the organisation's legal status, finances, organisational structure and tax compliance.

In an open letter addressed to Bhagwat that Priyank Kharge posted on X, he congratulated the organisation on its centenary but argued that its vast scale and influence make public accountability imperative.

Citing figures from the RSS's own annual report, the Karnataka minister noted that the organisation operates 4,127 daily shakhas, 1,389 weekly milans and 60 monthly mandalis in Karnataka. He also referred to 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.

The Congress leader said the scale of the organisation raises legitimate questions regarding legal status, accountability, financial transparency, permissions, sources of funding and compliance with Indian laws.

Priyank Kharge called upon the RSS to place several details in the public domain, including its legal status, organisational structure, office-bearers, sources of donations and income, expenditure and assets, tax compliance records, and the legal basis on which it operates without formal registration.

He also sought information on permissions and authorisations obtained for public events, route marches and mass gatherings organised by the Sangh.

"In a constitutional democracy, no organisation, however old, large or influential, can remain above scrutiny," he said, arguing that trusts, NGOs, societies, religious institutions and companies are routinely required to disclose their activities and finances.

The minister further contended that an organisation that frequently invokes nationalism, discipline and duty should itself demonstrate transparency and constitutional compliance.

"The RSS cannot ask ordinary Indians to follow rules while exempting itself from the same standards," he wrote.

Calling the RSS centenary an opportunity for "constitutional introspection", Priyank Kharge urged the organisation to formally register itself, disclose its finances and activities, pay all applicable taxes and function as a transparent and accountable body under Indian law.

The move came after he strongly defended Kerala CM VD Satheesan's demand that university vice-chancellors apologise for attending an RSS programme earlier in the day.

Questioning the participation of heads of educational institutions in events associated with the RSS, Priyank Kharge had asked 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, according to news agency ANI.