Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of indulging in “money laundering”, questioned its sources of income and asked why it was not paying taxes.Addressing a gathering at an event here, Kharge alleged financial irregularities and sought greater accountability from the organisation.“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.Questioning the source of its funds, he added, “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.”Kharge said the same law and Constitution applicable to everyone in the country should apply to the RSS as well. Later, speaking to reporters, he pointed out that the RSS is an unregistered organisation and asked whether “they are above law or Constitution.”“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?” he further asked.Stating that his question is why the RSS was unregistered, he said, “Where is their Guru Dakshina (donation) coming from.”Kharge said, “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.““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,” he asked.Kharge also took a swipe at the organisation over patriotism, saying, “RSS did not hoist the national flag in their office for 52 years. They teach us about patriotism.”“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,” Kharge said.Meanwhile, Kharge launched a sharp attack on the demand to confer the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar, asking why a person who, according to him, “worked against Bharat” should receive the country’s highest civilian honour.In a post shared on X, Kharge posted a long list of questions targeting Savarkar’s role during the freedom struggle. His attack came in response to comments made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on February 8, at a two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’. Addressing questions over the delay in honouring Savarkar, Bhagwat said the award would elevate the prestige of the Bharat Ratna itself. Bhagwat further said that he was not on the decision-making committee but would raise the issue if given the chance.
