Bengaluru: Priyank Kharge, Congress leader and Karnataka Minister, has launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging financial irregularities and calling for the organisation to be brought under constitutional and legal scrutiny.

Speaking at a book release event in Bengaluru, Kharge questioned the sources of funds collected by the RSS and its affiliated bodies. He claimed that the organisation, which has around 2,500 affiliated groups, receives money from several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. “Considering this, it can be said that there is a huge money laundering racket behind the RSS,” he said.

Kharge also criticised the practice of collecting “Guru Dakshina”, claiming that the term, according to his research, refers to a “flag”. “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,” he added.

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He further took aim at what he described as distortions of religious texts for political purposes. Criticising interpretations of the Ramayana, Kharge accused leaders of using religion to push their own agendas while avoiding personal responsibility. “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,” he said.

Kharge also targeted Mohan Bhagwat, noting that the RSS chief’s comments on social issues, including advocating for families to have three children, contrasted with his personal life. “He 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.

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In addition, Kharge criticised calls to award the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar, questioning why a figure he claimed “worked against Bharat” should receive the nation’s highest civilian honour. In a post on X, he raised a series of questions regarding Savarkar’s role during the freedom struggle, responding to remarks made by Bhagwat on 8 February at a lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’. During the series, Bhagwat had defended the delay in conferring the award, stating it would enhance the prestige of the Bharat Ratna and that he was not on the decision-making committee but would raise the issue if given the chance.