Bengaluru, 6 Jan

Karnataka IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday lashed out at the saffron organisation, terming it the "biggest impediment" to the nation's growth. He was responding to a defamation complaint was filed against him and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao by an RSS member.

Kharge had earlier sought a ban on the RSS, preventing it from holding rallies on school and government property premises. "The ‘Body of Individuals’ is using its stooges to file cases against us, simply because we are raising valid questions on (the finances) RSS.

RSS is the biggest impediment to the growth of the Nation,” Kharge wrote on X. Kharge also cited RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement that the organisation operates on donations from its volunteers. Kharge sought clarification on the matter.

Kharge further asked, "When Swayamsevaks purchase uniforms or materials from "local offices", where are these funds accounted for? Who bears the cost of maintaining local offices and other infrastructure?

These questions underscore a fundamental issue of transparency and accountability.”

“When every religious or charitable institution in India is required to maintain financial transparency, what justifies the absence of similar accountability mechanisms for the RSS?” he added.