An open letter sent by Karnataka government minister Priyank Kharge demanding disclosure of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) financial details and official registration of the organization has created a stir in the country’s political circles. Responding to the letter on Monday, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called the claims purely politically motivated. Noting that Hinduism is also unregistered, Bhagwat clarified that there is no need for the Sangh to register as it does not require government funding.
“It’s just politics and people are used to such things,” Bhagwat said, adding that he would not formally respond to the Karnataka minister’s open letter., They are creating such a surprise. He pointed out that the union had faced such a situation in the past and now it has become a normal thing. He said it was only when such complaints were made that they felt something was wrong. The work of the Sangha is not secret, Instead, claiming that it is done openly, Bhagwat said there are many unregistered activities going on in the society and even Hinduism has no registration. Those who need funds from the government, He said, only for them registration is required.
Bhagwat said that the RSS was born during the British rule as per the will of the people and the government was well aware of their existence. The government banned the Sangh twice and the ban was later lifted through court orders and satyagraha. This proves that the government has recognized the union. He said no one asked them to register in the last 100 years and the written constitution of the Sangh was submitted to the government in the 1950s.
It is noteworthy that, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on June 15, when the RSS celebrated its centenary‘Ciel Media Platform ‘X‘published an open letter. In the letter he raised the question if civilians, the labor, Private organization, trust, Temples and companies should register and comply with the law, So why should RSS be exempted?? This is essential for an organization that claims to have over 60,000 branches and billions of volunteers to maintain constitutional accountability and transparency, the minister said. The association is entering its centenary year of registration under the Constitution, He demanded to pay applicable taxes and act transparently.
Kharge is the highest decision-making body of the RSS in support of his claim ‘All India Representative Council‘He presented the Karnataka report for the year 2025-2025. According to the report, the state has 4 Sanghas.,127 daily branches, 1,There are 389 weekly meetings and 60 monthly congregations. In addition, Dr, 2 with 19.61 lakh participants,194 social festivals and 562 road marches were held with 2.21 lakh participants. The minister claimed the legal status and influence of such a large organization, registration, Officials, Capital, expenditure, It is important to clarify the position regarding taxation and permitting of public programs.
The fresh debate between the ruling party and the opposition over the registration and financial transparency of the RSS has taken on a different dimension in the current political context. Meanwhile, the Karnataka minister demanded constitutional accountability from the organisation, On the other hand, the RSS top leadership is trying to treat the entire process as a political attack claiming that the Sangh’s workings are open and the government has been informed. It remains to be seen how this issue of financial and legal liability will take shape at the national level in the future‘b.