PRIYANK KHARGE, the Home Minister of Karnataka, has taken a monumental decision to ask the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to register itself. The demand has the potential to immensely influence the future of Indian democratic-secular polity; it also has serious consequences for the RSS, which, despite being a ‘cultural’ organization, is presently the country’s de facto ruler.
Kharge’s action does not seem to be an individual act: it is the outcome of a well-thought-out plan of the Congress leadership, which has rightly concluded that the RSS, which has become the omnipotent-omnipresent extra-constitutional authority, must be confronted.
According to a press report, Kharge, in a letter (June 13, 2026) to RSS Supremo Mohan Bhagwat, sought details on the organisation’s legal status, finances, office-bearers and tax compliance. The details were needed as the RSS officially claims to have over 60,000 shakhas and crores of swayamsevaks across India and abroad. Kharge stated that it was not only a legal requirement but also a moral issue. He wrote: “It is precisely because of this scale, influence and reach that the RSS must be held to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and constitutional compliance.”
Touching the nerve of every patriotic Indian, Kharge stated: “An organisation that regularly evokes nationalism, discipline and duty must also demonstrate these values through transparency, compliance and respect for the Constitution of India. The RSS cannot ask ordinary Indians to follow rules while exempting itself from the same standards. If workers, small associations, religious institutions, NGOs, trusts, companies and citizens are expected to register, disclose, audit and pay taxes, then the RSS too must set an example by abiding by the rules of the land.”
No government in independent India had dared to confront the RSS with so many critical questions!
Bhagwat’s response, who was touring Kerala, was dismissive of Kharge’s charges by declaring that he did not “need to respond”. He went on to argue: “We are not secretive; we are working on open ground. We are calling people and telling them about us. This is politics, and all kinds of gimmicks are being tried… Hindu Dharma is not registered, and many other entities are not registered.”
But reality is, the way Karnataka home minister has moved, RSS will have to respond. Bhagwat’s plea that for “over 100 years, nobody told us to register”; the wait is going to be over! The RSS must “start preparing documents for registration,” as stated by Kharge.
In the meantime, a member of RSS or a Hindutva bigot in Karnataka, Sudhir Bangera, 48, using filthy, derogatory, and casteist language against the home minister, threatened to kill him. “The time has come to finish you off,” he said as home minister had said he would not allow the RSS to spread communalism.
RSS has been persistently resorting to lies that it is not a political party and does not take part in elections nor are its office bearers supposed to become office-bearers of any political party. The RSS has no election symbol nor its leadership or members have ever endeavoured to seek political office. It is a social-cultural organisation trying to inspire all national activity.” [RSS English organ Organizer edit, February 6, 2000.)
We must compare this claim of the RSS with the following two statements of M S Golwalkar, who headed the RSS after the death of K B Hedgewar, and is considered the greatest ideologue of the organisation till date. The first tells us about the kind of personnel who are sent to manipulate politics and what is expected of them by the RSS. While delivering a speech on March 16, 1954, in Sindi, Wardha, he said: “If we say that we are part of the organisation and accept its discipline, then selectiveness has no place in life. Do what is told. If told to play kabaddi, play kabaddi; told to hold a meeting then meeting… For instance, some of our friends were told to go and work for politics, which does not mean that they have great interest or inspiration for it. They don’t die for politics like fish without water. If they are told to withdraw from politics then also there is no objection. Their discretion is just not required.”
[Golwalkar, MS, Shri Guruju Samgr Darshan (collected works of Golalkar in Hindi), Bhartiya Vichar Sadhna, Nagpur (RSS publication house), vol. III, n. d., p. 32.]
The second statement is also very significant and clearly highlights the high level of political ambitions of the RSS. While addressing the leading RSS cadres at Indore on March 5, 1960, he said: “We know this also that some of our Swayamsevaks work in politics. There they have to organise according to the needs of work public meetings, processions etc., have to raise slogans. All these things have no place in our work. However, like the character in a play whatever role has been assigned should be portrayed with best of capability. But sometimes Swayamsevaks go beyond the role assigned to a performer (nat) as they develop over-zealousness in their hearts, to the extent that they become useless for this work. This is not good.” [Ibid, vol. IV, pp. 4-5.]
The Nexus of RSS Made Public
RSS is the only NGO in the world that claims to be a cultural organisation but worships arms on its foundation day and runs a tentacle of organisations inimical to the democratic-secular Indian polity. The central publication house of the RSS, the Suruchi Prakashan, published a book, Param Vaibhav Ke Path Par (The Road to Eternal Glory) in 1997, giving details of more than 40 organisations created by the RSS for different tasks. The preface of the book itself declares:
“Without the knowledge of the different kinds of activities of the Sawyamsevaks (the volunteers of the RSS) the introduction of the RSS is incomplete. Keeping this in mind it has been attempted in this book to produce the brief information about the diverse activities of the Sawyamsevaks. This book covers the organizational status till 1996…We believe that this book will prove to be of use for those who want to understand the RSS with the Swyamsevaks.”
[Sapre, Sadanand D., Parm Vaibhav Ke Path Per, Suruchi (Central Publication House of RSS), Delhi, 1997, p. 7.]
Sapre’s book can be the most can be the most crucial document to shackle the anti-national RSS!
The BJP, as a political organisation, figures prominently in it, clubbed with the ABVP, Hindu Jagaran Manch, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Sanskar Bharti. BJP figures at number three in the list of prominent organisations created by the RSS. This book gives details of the creation and development of Bhartiya Jan Sangh (the forerunner of the BJP) and then the BJP by the RSS for purposes laid down by the latter. It is to be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and almost all ministers, BJP chief ministers and governors publicly declare belonging to RSS cadres.
RSS and Conspiracies
The above publication of the RSS shows how the organisation is run clandestinely. It runs like a well-organised mafia through its subsidiaries and satellites. There has always been a conscious attempt to create confusion about its different fronts, which provides RSS with the opportunity to dissociate itself with any of these as per its convenience. For instance, it used Hindu Jagaran Manch (HJM) for attacking Christians in the late 1990s and when public opinion, media and Parliament seemed to turn against it, RSS denied any relations with the HJM. Whenever criminal activities of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and ABVP are exposed, RSS declares that these are independent organisations. Interestingly, it was often seen mediating between the BJP-led government (1998-2004) and its progenies.
It will be interesting to know that many of these organisations have been functioning clandestinely, a characteristic of a Fascist set-up. For instance, while giving the details of Hindu Jagaran Manch, the book says: From the point of view of Hindu awakening, this kind of forums (HJM) at present are active in 17 states with different names like ‘Hindu Manch’ in Delhi, ‘Hindu Munani’ in Tamil Nadu, ‘Hinduekjut’ in Maharashtra. These are forums, not associations or organisations, that’s why it is not required to have membership, registration and elections. [Sapre, Sadanand D., Param Vaibhav Ke Path Per, Suruchi, Delhi, 1997, p. 64.]
It is clear that these work as a mafia to avoid scrutiny by law and government. Such an organisational mode provides an opportunity for RSS to disown any individual or group.
RSS indulges in conspiracies, too. It can be known by the following disclosure in Param Vaibhav Ke Path Par about a case in Delhi immediately after Partition: “Swayamsevaks had posed to have adopted Musalman religion in order to gain the confidence of Delhi Muslim League for knowing their conspiracies.” [Ibid, p. 86.]
What these swayamsevaks, impersonating as Muslims, on the eve of Independence were doing was made clear by none other than Dr Rajendra Prasad, who later became the first President of the Indian Republic. In a letter to the first Home Minister of India, Sardar Patel, on 14 March 1948, he wrote: “I am told that RSS people have a plan of creating trouble. They have got a number of men dressed as Muslims and looking like Muslims who are to create trouble with the Hindus by attacking them and thus inciting the Hindus. Similarly, there will be some Hindus among them who will attack Muslims and thus incite Muslims. The result of this kind of trouble amongst the Hindus and Muslims will be to create a conflagration.”
Following is the list of organisations mentioned in this RSS publication. The list makes it clear that RSS is working to control every aspect of Indian polity and society. Many more have surfaced after the publication of this book. The serial numbering is the same as in the book. The bracket has been added to explain the nature and function of each organisation.
1. Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (Student)
2. Vidya Bharati (Education)
3. BJP (political)
4. VHP, Bajrang Dal, Durga Vahini, Dharam Sansad or Religious
Parliament (Anti-Minority). RSS insists that Dharam Sansad is the highest supreme body of Hindus. This book tells us that, “Vishwa Hindu Parishad established Dharam Sansad in 1984”. It means that the Dharam Sansad, or the religious parliament, is a puppet in the hands of the VHP, child of RSS.
5. Akhil Bharati Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Tribal)
6. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (Working Class)
7. Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (Peasants)
8. Rashtra Sevika Samiti (Social Work-Women)
9. SEWA BHARATI and TATSAM (Social Work. Both these outfits have taken over all governmental welfare programmes in slums and poor areas, in cities like Delhi, even during the Congress rule. These are basically fronts to divert government funds to the RSS. Recently got license for sending adopted kids outside the country)
10. Vishva Vibhag (Foreign Affairs)
11. Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shikshak Mahasangh (Education)
12. Bharatiya Shiksha Mandal (Education)
13. Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (Sikhs)
14. Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (Economics, gets crores of rupees from government departments)
15. Deen Dayal Shodh Sansthan (Intellectual)
16. Bharat Vikas Parishad (similar to # 9 above)
17. Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojna (History)
18. Sanskrit Bharati (Sanskrit Language which is favourite of the UGC these days)
19. Sanskar Bharati (Culture was in the forefront against artist MF Hussain and films like Fire)
20. Akhil Bharati Adhivakta Parishad (Lawyers)
21. Hindu Jagaran Manch (Against Minorities. the terrible attacks on Christians and Muslims in Gujarat and other parts of the country were owned by it)
22. Samajik Samrasta Manch (Anti-reservation front)
23. Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad (History)
24. Pragya Bharati (Religious)
25. Vigyan Bharati (Science)
26. Laghu Udyog Bharati (Industry – Huge government funds available)
27. Akhil Bharatiya Grahsak Panchayat (Consumers)
28. Sehkar Bharati (Cooperative – gets huge government funds).
29. Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad (Ex-Servicemen)
30. Bharat Prakashan (Publishes organs of the RSS like the Organiser)
31. Suruchi Prakashan, Delhi (RSS Central Publication House)
32. Lokhit Prakashan, Lucknow (Publication)
33. Gyan Ganga Prakashan, Jaipur (Publication)
34. Archana Prakashan, Bhopal (Publication)
35. Akashvani Prakashan, Jullundur (Publication)
36. Bhartiya Vichar Sadhana, Nagpur (Publication)
37. Sadhana Prakashan, Gujarat (Publication)
& about 10 more publishing houses in various parts of the country. Journals; Organizer (English, Panjanya, Rashtr Dharm (Hindi).
Not listed: Arogya Bharti, Garbh Vigyan Sanskar (Uterus Science Culture for producing tall, white Aryan babies), Muslim Rashtriya Manch and management of dozens of military schools.
Lies and Lies
Mohan Bhagwat, as a habitual liar, says that RSS does not accept government funds. Many of its santans not only get Indian government funds but also from international agencies like World Bank. Recently, Akhil Bharati Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram held a big all-India event (21-25 May 2026) at Delhi for which RSS-BJP government played host. [https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-schools-house-rss-linked-delegates-for-birsa-munda-event-near-red-fort-prnt/cid/2162106#goog_rewarded]
According to an investigative story, out of funds for a prominent sports mission, the flagship Target Olympic Podium Scheme (preparing elite athletes) crores of rupees were pocketed by facilities for senior bureaucrats and two RSS-linked institutions in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. [https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/ministrys-special-fund-is-for-top-athletes-bureaucrats-dip-into-it-to-upgrade-their-own-sports-facilities-10688256/]
There are thousands and thousands of such cases which do not come to the limelight because RSS is not registered and accountable. RSS does not have bank account/s despite collecting billions of rupees from India and abroad, hiring lakhs of employees for overt and covert activities. A true Indian patriot Lalan Singh, a worker from Nagpur has been knocking at the judiciary at almost all levels for securing a simple answer: Under what rules RSS is provided state security costing billions of rupees of people’s money every year. The judiciary does not allow even a pigeonhole view!
It does not augur well for the largest democracy in the world that a gang is allowed to run (or destroy) India which is openly inimical to democracy, Indian constitution, Tricolour and equality. The most important ideologue of RSS, Golwalkar, declared as early as 1940: “RSS inspired by one flag, one leader and one ideology is lighting the flame of Hindutva in each and every corner of this great land. [Golwalkar, MS, Shri Guruju Samgr Darshan (collected works of Gowalkar in Hindi), Bharatiya Vichar Sadhna, Nagpur (RSS Publication House), vol. I, n. d., p. 11.]
On the eve of independence, Organiser (dated August 14, 1947) denigrated the Tricolour in the following words: “The people who have come to power by the kick of fate may give in our hands the Tricolour but it will never be respected and owned by Hindus. The word three is in itself an evil, and a flag having three colours will certainly produce a very bad psychological effect and is injurious to a country.”
When the Constituent Assembly finalised the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, the RSS was not happy. Organiser in an editorial on November 30, 1949, complained: “But in our Constitution, there is no mention of the unique constitutional development in ancient Bharat. Manu’s Laws were written long before Lycurgus of Sparta or Solon of Persia. To this day, his laws are enunciated in the Manusmriti and excite the admiration of the world and elicit spontaneous obedience and conformity. But to our constitutional pundits, that means nothing.” RSS has never denied this choice. Mind it, Manusmriti is not against Muslims or Christians but treats Hindu women and Sudras as lower than animals.
RSS, drunk with unchecked power, is now equating RSS with Hindu Dharm which not long ago, Jinnah too thought; Muslim League was Islam!
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Shamsul Islam is a retired Delhi University professor. The views expressed here are personal and Clarion India does not necessarily share or subscribe to them.
