Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge Targets RSS Over Tax Exemption, Foreign Donations

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge has intensified his criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging financial opacity and demanding that the organisation be brought under constitutional and legal scrutiny. His remarks come amid an ongoing political confrontation between the ruling Indian National Congress in Karnataka and the right-wing body.

Speaking at a private event in Bengaluru, Kharge questioned the source and accountability of funds collected by the RSS through donations, often referred to as “guru dakshina.” He alleged the organisation may be involved in money laundering but did not present supporting evidence. The minister argued that while citizens are required to pay income tax, the RSS allegedly operates without similar financial scrutiny.

Kharge claimed that roughly 2,500 organisations are linked to the RSS and alleged that funds are being collected from multiple countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. He questioned why the organisation’s finances are not subject to the same transparency standards applied to others. Kharge also said he would continue to push for the RSS to be formally registered under constitutional provisions.

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The remarks were in response to comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who has maintained that the RSS is a “body of individuals” and therefore does not require registration. Disagreeing with this view, Kharge argued that no organisation should be exempt from legal oversight. He also drew comparisons with private clubs, saying such bodies are registered and tax-compliant despite being associations of individuals.

The political row dates back to late 2025, when Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over reports that RSS shakhas were being conducted in government schools and public grounds. The dispute escalated after a panchayat officer was suspended for attending an RSS event and authorities denied permission for an RSS march in Chittapur, Kharge’s constituency.

In October, the Karnataka government issued an order mandating prior permission for private groups to use government premises, clarifying later that the RSS had not been specifically banned. The directive was subsequently challenged in court, and the Karnataka High Court put the order on hold, keeping the politically sensitive issue alive.

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