RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat shuts down critics on registration and tax questions, citing court recognition and historical context. Find out how he used the legal status of ‘Hindu Dharma’ to defend the Sangh.
Priyank Kharge’s Questions on RSS Tax Exemption
The legal standing and financial transparency of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have once again become a flashpoint in the national political debate, driven by pointed questioning from Congress leaders. In a firm and detailed rebuttal, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the entire controversy surrounding the organization’s unregistered status and tax exemptions, concluding his argument with a striking rhetorical comparison: “Even Hindu dharma not registered.”
Speaking at the “100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons” lecture series in Bengaluru, Bhagwat tackled the allegations head-on. The core of the criticism, led by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, revolved around the question of why the Sangh operates as an unregistered organisation, allegedly to avoid legal scrutiny and taxation. Kharge notably asked: “Where is the money coming from for this unregistered organisation?”
Bhagwat’s defense was multifaceted, relying heavily on historical context and legal precedent. First, he questioned the expectation of early registration: “The Sangh started in 1925. Do you expect us to register with the British government?” Second, he clarified that post-Independence, the government of India did not mandate compulsory registration for every functioning body. Crucially, he pointed out that the Indian judiciary and the Income Tax Department have recognized the RSS as a “body of individuals” (NLP Keyword). This specific legal categorization is what grants the Sangh its tax exemption status for its donations (known as Guru Dakshina).
