BENGALURU — Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge and senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad on Wednesday raised serious concerns about the funding of the RSS, alleging that the organisation operates without legal registration in order to avoid compliance with government laws and regulations.
“…throw the RSS registration on my face saying that RSS is a registered organisation. There ends the matter,” Kharge said.
“…where is the money coming from for this unregistered organisation? To stitch the clothes, to conduct marches, to purchase the drums and trumpets, to build the buildings, where is the money coming from? If you (RSS) are unregistered, how are you getting the money?” he asked.
Earlier this month, Kharge wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging restrictions on RSS activities in public spaces and calling for disciplinary action against government employees affiliated with the organisation.
Stressing that RSS remains as an unregistered organisation to evade law, the minister said, “If you are registered, you will have to pay the taxes, ensure compliance under the Registrar of companies, Society Registration Act, NGO Act. They will have to share information about foreign and private donations, and domestic funding. So they are not getting registered.”
Echoing Kharge’s concerns, Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad remarked that the RSS has managed to evade legal and public scrutiny over its funding and activities by remaining an unregistered organisation.
“…to demand information about the funding, they should be a registered organisation. The Congress party, as well as the BJP is registered with the Election Commission of India. Where is the RSS registered?” he said.
Claiming that RSS’ fund collection mode is such that, during Vijayadashami, money is given to the organisation by those donating in a cover as “Guru Dakshina,” Hariprasad questioned whether the organisation has given the account of such money collected in hundred years.
“There is black money there. Has the ED or IT department or CBI raided it? For whom is this money being used? They have constructed a Rs 700 crore building. Where did the money come from? They are doing it illegally. If I have to say. They should get registered,” he added.
Meanwhile, responding to a question on Kharge’s comments, BJP leader and former Deputy CM C N Ashwath Narayan claimed there is no need for every organisation to be registered.
“Every individual and organisation has the freedom to carry out their activities legally and constitutionally in a democracy… there is nothing that it should be a registered organisation. RSS is a voluntary organisation for building the country socially, religiously, culturally and educationally,” he claimed. — With inputs from agencies
