Priyank Kharge: “RSS Must Follow Law”; Reminders to Be Sent to Mohan Bhagwat, Stressing Due Process.

Bengaluru:-Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said reminders will be sent to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, reiterating his demand that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh clarify its legal status and comply with Indian law. Kharge emphasized that the move is rooted in “due process, natural justice, and upholding the law,” not political vendetta.

 The Letter and the Reminder.

On June 13, Kharge wrote to Bhagwat as the RSS marked 100 years, seeking details on the organisation’s legal status, office-bearers, sources of donations, income, expenditure, assets, tax compliance, and permissions for public events. He posted the letter on X on June 15. 

Kharge said reminders will follow because “in a constitutional democracy, no organisation, however old, large or influential, can remain above scrutiny”. 

Scale Cited for Accountability.

Citing the RSS’s own 2025-26 ABPS report, Kharge noted the organisation has:

4,127 daily shakhas, 1,389 weekly milans, 60 monthly mandalis in Karnataka.

2,194 Samajotsavas with 19.6 lakh participants and 562 route marches with 2.21 lakh uniformed volunteers 

Such an extensive organisational presence… cannot be treated as a private or informal arrangement,” he wrote. 

 Kharge’s Core Questions.

Kharge asked the RSS to depute authorised office-bearers to explain:

Legal grounds for functioning without formal registration.

Sources of donations and “Guru Dakshina”.

 Whether applicable taxes are being paid.

Constitutional and statutory framework for operating at scale without public accountability .

Every religious institution and trust is audited. Charitable bodies, NGOs, companies disclose structure, finances, source of income. RSS must place information in public domain,” Kharge said. 

Bhagwat’s Response.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat rejected the demand, calling it politically motivated. “Hindu religion is also not registered… They want to hamper Sangh work and create doubts,” he said. He added that RSS shakhas are held in open grounds and karyakartas live in all localities: “None of this is possible if we are secretive”. 

 Due Process and Natural Justice.

Kharge told reporters: “I have raised legal issues, Constitutional questions. Let RSS answer. Why are they not getting registered—how can I answer this?” 

He stressed natural justice: “An organisation that regularly evokes nationalism, discipline and duty must also demonstrate these values through transparency, compliance and respect for the Constitution”. 

Kharge also flagged “intimidation tactics” after a defamation complaint was filed against him by an RSS member, asserting: “RSS is not above the Constitution, nor am I”. 

Kharge said the Karnataka government will send reminders and expects a reply from Bhagwat. The RSS has so far maintained that its activities are public and it operates through volunteer donations.