Skip to main content
logo

InsightRush

Video
1/3
politics

Priyank Kharge Questions RSS Funding Sources; What is Mohan Bhagwat's Response?

By Vinutha U
Priyank Kharge Questions RSS Funding Sources; What is Mohan Bhagwat's Response?

The RSS maintains that its voluntary, member-driven model ensures accountability without formal registration, but critics argue it raises questions about public fund misuse and oversight.

In a sharp escalation of political rhetoric, Karnataka's IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge has fired a barrage of questions at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) regarding its opaque funding sources and lack of formal registration. This comes amid ongoing debates in Karnataka's political landscape, with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat offering an indirect rebuttal through past statements and official clarifications from the organization's spokespersons.

Kharge, a prominent Congress leader, posed these key queries about the RSS:

  • Why is the RSS not a registered organization?

  • Where does the funding for an unregistered entity come from?

  • Who provides money for full-time pracharaks (workers) and daily operations?

  • Why is RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat provided with top-level government security, and why is taxpayers' money used for it?

Challenging the RSS's self-proclaimed status as the "world's largest NGO," Kharge questioned, "If it claims to be the world's biggest NGO, why isn't it registered under Indian law? Isn't this an attempt to evade scrutiny and tax exemptions? "Mohan Bhagwat's Indirect ResponseRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has not directly addressed Kharge's remarks in Karnataka or publicly.

However, in previous speeches and through RSS spokespersons, the organization has clarified its financial and structural aspects:

  • The RSS's primary funding relies on voluntary annual 'Guru Dakshina' contributions from its members (swayamsevaks), drawn anonymously from their personal earnings. This fosters financial self-reliance and loyalty among workers.

  • Funds are mainly used for day-to-day operations, office maintenance, and programs.

  • The RSS is not registered under any specific law, as it positions itself as a cultural organization (sangathan) rather than a public-fund-seeking NGO. Many affiliated trusts and entities are legally registered and comply with tax laws.

  • Bhagwat's security is a Central Government decision, determined by the Home Ministry based on threat assessments and standard protocols. INHEAVEN Bridal Princess Girl Tiara and Rhinestone Crown Headband Hair Accessories for Women Wedding Ceremony Party (Multicolor)

Ongoing Political TussleKharge and other Congress leaders continue to press for transparency in the RSS's registration and finances, turning it into a major controversy in Karnataka's politics. The RSS maintains that its voluntary, member-driven model ensures accountability without formal registration, but critics argue it raises questions about public fund misuse and oversight.