The Congress leader also criticised recent religious discourse and challenged calls to confer the Bharat Ratna on Veer Savarkar, sharpening the ideological clash with the RSS-BJP camp.
File image: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge addresses the House during the Assembly Session at Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of financial irregularities, questioned the source of its funds and demanded that the organisation be brought under constitutional and legal scrutiny.
Speaking in Bengaluru during at a book release event, the Congress leader alleged that money collected by the RSS and its affiliated bodies from within India and abroad could point to a “huge money laundering racket.”
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Kharge’s remarks come amid renewed political exchanges between the Congress and the RSS-BJP leadership over issues ranging from religious discourse to the demand for Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar.
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Addressing the gathering, Kharge claimed: “Around 2500 affiliated organisations are associated with the RSS. Money is being collected from many countries, including America and England. Considering this, it can be said that there is a huge money laundering racket behind the RSS.”
He also took aim at what he described as vague explanations about the organisation’s funding model. “If we ask about the source of RSS money, they tell us that we will get Guru Dakshina. However, when I did some research, according to them, Guru Dakshina means ‘flag’. So, tomorrow morning, if I also hoist the blue flag and collect money, I will ask the government and them (RSS) whether they will agree,” Kharge said.
Stating that he would continue to press the issue, he added, “From now on, I will not give up until this RSS organisation is registered under the Constitution and the law.”
Kharge also criticised what he described as the political use of religious narratives. Referring to recent interpretations of the Ramayana, he said, “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.”
Taking a swipe at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Kharge said, “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who says that one should have three children, is not getting married. However, he talks about raising other people’s children.”
He further alleged that the BJP was making contradictory statements and claimed that such politics was affecting the poor.
Separately, Kharge criticised calls to confer the Bharat Ratna on Veer Savarkar. In a post on X, he raised questions about Savarkar’s role during the freedom struggle and asked why someone who, according to him, “worked against Bharat” should receive the country’s highest civilian honour.
His comments were in response to remarks made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on February 8 during a two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’.
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