Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge criticized the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that the BJP reacts strongly to any criticism of the RSS. Kharge highlighted the close ties between the two organizations, noting that the BJP becomes defensive when the RSS is questioned.
Kharge questioned the RSS’s contributions to India’s freedom movement and accused the organization of trying to dictate patriotism despite not participating in the struggle for independence. He also raised concerns about the delayed hoisting of the national flag at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, questioning the organization’s commitment to the Indian Constitution.
The minister further challenged the RSS’s organizational practices, alleging that it operates without proper registration and tax compliance. Kharge emphasized the historical relationship between the BJP and RSS, stating that the BJP has consistently acted as an instrument of the RSS rather than just an ally.
The ongoing political clash between Congress leaders and the BJP-RSS revolves around the RSS’s role in public life, its historical background, and its association with the ruling party at the national level. Kharge’s public letter to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, demanding transparency on legal status and financial matters, has intensified the debate between the two political factions.
