Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter to the RSS chief asking for registration documents of the organization. He said that RSS should work within the ambit of law. Kharge has also raised questions on the financial transparency and accountability of the organization.
New Delhi: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has said that he has written a letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asking for documents related to the registration of the organization. He clarified, ‘I have not written this letter as Priyank Kharge, but on behalf of the government. I hope he will respond to our letter. If they don’t respond, we will see what to do next.
RSS should follow its customs, but do everything within the ambit of law.
Kharge said in a press conference in Delhi on Tuesday, ‘We will not interfere in their customs and traditions. But I have just said that whatever you do, do it within the ambit of law. He further said, ‘Any religious organization in Karnataka will have to work under the law. You will have to tell under which law your organization is formed. Where is your registration? Who are your organizers? Who is the head of your organization? I have asked all this in the letter. I have not asked about the registration of religion, but about the registration of your organization. Don’t give vague answers to anything.
If I get answers to my questions, I am ready to go to the RSS office.
Kharge challenged and said, ‘Tell me what is wrong in my questions. Mohan Bhagwat has not replied to my letter. The statement he is making is old. I had written the letter on 15th and his statement is dated 13th, the video of which is going viral on social media. I hope he will reply to my letter. If not given, we will see further. If he answers my questions, I am ready to go to the RSS office. I will go with my lawyers, they should also come with their lawyers.
Should there be accountability or not?
He asked, ‘Should there be accountability or not? What’s wrong with demanding transparency? When we talk about transparency, why do we bring religion into the question? Should information about donations be given or not? There has been a huge confusion in the matter of donations to Ayodhya. Now such a situation has come that Ram himself will answer. In such a situation, those who march in the name of Shri Ram, should they not be held accountable? Kharge further said, ‘Mohan Bhagwat is being given security with taxpayers’ money. Is there any accountability for this or not? Our policemen do duty for your traffic, that too is taxpayers’ money. Don’t make your people (BJP) talk. You just give the documents.
Kharge also questioned the political role of RSS. He said, ‘You talk about relations with Pakistan, give your opinion on the election of BJP national president. Then how do you say that the organization is not political? In a report in America this organization was described as wrong. To fix this, Rs 3 crore was given to a law firm. Where did they get this money from?
clear legal status
Kharge said that RSS is completing 100 years of its establishment. On this occasion, he should clarify his legal position and bring transparency in money transactions. He said that according to the report of All India Pratinidhi Sabha of RSS, 4,127 daily shakhas, 1,389 weekly meetings and 60 monthly congregations are run in Karnataka alone. Apart from this, there are ‘Samajotsav’ with more than 500 street movements and participation of lakhs of people. Kharge said, ‘Programmes organized on such a large scale cannot be considered ‘personal or informal’. Details of government permissions taken for these should be given. Every organization has to remain within the ambit of law. He questioned that when common citizens, labor organizations, NGOs, trusts and companies register under government rules and give details of their income and expenditure, then why should RSS be exempted from this? He said that getting the organization legally registered in its 100th year and working transparently would be the biggest gift to the country.