Thrissur (Kerala)/Bengaluru/New Delhi, June 15: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat has dismissed demands seeking registration of the RSS, asserting that the organisation functions openly and transparently and does not need to respond to what he described as political gimmicks.
Speaking during an interaction with the audience at an event in Thrissur, Kerala, Dr. Bhagwat was asked to respond to recent remarks and questions raised by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge regarding the legal status and registration of the RSS.
The question referred to a letter reportedly written by Priyank Kharge seeking clarification on why the RSS, despite being one of the country’s largest organisations, does not function as a registered entity and whether its activities and finances should be subject to greater public disclosure.
Responding to the query, Dr. Bhagwat said he did not consider it necessary to respond in detail to such demands.
“I do not need to respond. There are many unregistered activities and organisations functioning in the country. We are not operating secretly. All our activities take place openly,” Bhagwat said.
The RSS chief maintained that the organisation conducts its programmes in public view and does not function in secrecy. He said RSS activities are carried out in open grounds and public spaces and are visible to society.
Describing the controversy as politically motivated, Bhagwat termed the demand for registration and related questions as a “gimmick”.
The remarks come in the backdrop of statements made by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, who has argued that an organisation which speaks about nationalism, discipline and public responsibility should also demonstrate transparency, legal compliance and accountability regarding its organisational structure and finances.
Kharge had reportedly stated that workers, religious institutions, trusts, NGOs, companies and other organisations are required to comply with registration, disclosure, auditing and taxation requirements and questioned whether similar standards should apply to the RSS.
In response, Bhagwat reiterated that the RSS has nothing to hide and that its work has always been carried out in the open. He suggested that the issue was being raised for political reasons rather than out of genuine concern regarding transparency or accountability.
The exchange is the latest development in an emerging debate between sections of the Karnataka Government and the RSS over questions of organisational structure, registration and public accountability.
While Priyank Kharge has sought greater clarity regarding the RSS’s legal and administrative framework, the RSS leadership has maintained that the organisation’s activities are transparent, publicly visible and do not warrant the allegations of secrecy being levelled against it.
