We will deal with it: Priyank Kharge signals action against RSS

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said the government would act against the RSS within the legal framework, asserting that the organisation is outside it. He said authorities were studying its history and declined to reveal details of proposed action

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said the government would act against the RSS within the legal framework and indicated that it was studying the organisation and its history before deciding its next course of action.

Speaking to reporters here, he asserted that he would bring the RSS within the “legal framework”. When reporters asked Priyank whether he had received a reply to his letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on several issues, including the registration of the organisation, he laughed it off and said he had not expected a response. “I had told you that it would not come, hadn’t I? I also told you that we would deal with it properly. Whatever we do has to be within the legal framework,” the minister said.

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“They (RSS) are outside the legal framework. I will bring them within it,” he said. Priyank said it had been around one-and-a-half months since he raised the issue and that the government needed time to study the RSS and its history before proceeding.

“We need to study and understand their 100-year history. They themselves are unaware of their own history,” he said. Taking a swipe at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Kharge said, “Now, apparently, he met some Gen-Z people recently. Is it about supporting them after beating them up?” He also questioned the RSS’s authority to issue certificates of patriotism or treason.

“They themselves are not registered. They certify others,” the minister said. “Can I decide whether someone is a patriot or a traitor? Who are they to decide that? Who are they to go around issuing such certificates?” he asked.

Asked what action the government would take if there was no response to his letter, Priyank said it would proceed as planned but declined to disclose details. “Yes, we will. I have already told you that. I need to speak after I have given the letter. If I discuss all these things here now, what surprise element will remain for them? What legal element will remain?” he said.