“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 said.
Kharge challenged the RSS’s claim to moral authority, adding, “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 insisted that the same laws and Constitution applicable to every citizen in India should also apply to the RSS.
Speaking to reporters later, he highlighted that the RSS is an unregistered organisation, asking, “Are they above law or Constitution?”
Kharge elaborated, “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 (RSS chief) says it (RSS) is a body of individuals. So is Bangalore Club, have they not registered? Are they not paying taxes?”
Questioning the source of the organisation’s funds, he said, “Where is their Guru Dakshina (donation) coming from.” He further explained, “If we ask about the source of RSS money, they tell us that we will get Guru Dakshina. However, when I did some research, according to them, Guru Dakshina means ‘flag’. So, tomorrow morning, if I also hoist the blue flag and collect money, I will ask the government and them (RSS) whether they will agree. Thus, no one can escape baseless words. From now on, I will not give up until this RSS organisation is registered under the Constitution and the law.”
Kharge pressed the issue of taxation, asking, “Who is paying it? Why is it (RSS) not paying tax? When every rupee of others is being accounted for, why is there no accountability for their (RSS) money.”The minister also criticised the RSS on matters of patriotism, saying, “RSS did not hoist the national flag in their office for 52 years. They teach us about patriotism.” He went on to question the organisation’s social messaging, noting, “Ramayana, written by Valmiki, is different; what is happening now is different. Politicians and religious leaders are talking about religion as they wish. No religion incites violence. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who says that one should have three children, is not getting married. However, he talks about raising other people’s children. Thus, the BJP is constantly saying things outside and inside, and is sending the children of the poor to the streets.”
In a separate line of criticism, Kharge targeted calls to award the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar, questioning why someone who, according to him, “worked against Bharat” should receive the country’s highest civilian honour.
In a post on X, Kharge shared a detailed list of questions about Savarkar’s role during the freedom struggle. His comments came in response to remarks made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on February 8 during a two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’. Bhagwat had said that conferring the Bharat Ratna on Savarkar would elevate the award’s prestige, while noting that he was not on the decision-making committee but would raise the issue if given the chance.
With inputs from TOI
