RSS-Congress Clash Intensifies After Kharge Calls for Ban on Sangh
RSS says it has been “accepted by society” as Congress chief urges PM Modi to act like Sardar Patel
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demands a ban on RSS, blaming it for law and order issues.
- RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale says Sangh has been “accepted by society” and past bans were declared illegal.
- Kharge cites Sardar Patel’s decision to ban RSS in the past, urging PM Modi to do the same.
- Congress leaders defend remarks, accusing RSS of violating its commitment to remain apolitical.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Nov: The ongoing ideological confrontation between the Congress and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has escalated after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a ban on the Sangh, accusing it of fuelling law and order problems and undermining India’s secular fabric.
In response, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the organisation has long been “accepted by the country” and dismissed Kharge’s remarks as politically motivated. “An organisation that works for the security, development, culture, and unity of the country — a political leader is asking for its ban. But he would not say why,” Hosabale said.
Referring to previous attempts to outlaw the organisation, he added, “He (Kharge) tried this earlier too. What was the result? The society has accepted the Sangh and the government concluded that the bans were illegal and decided accordingly. Such a leader should take things in a sensitive manner.”
Kharge, meanwhile, invoked Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stating that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi truly respected Patel’s ideals, he should follow the former Home Minister’s decision to ban the RSS. “These are my personal views and I openly say that there should be a ban on the RSS. If PM respects the views presented by Vallabhbhai Patel, this should be done. All the wrongs in the country and all law and order issues are due to BJP and RSS,” Kharge said.
His son, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, had earlier urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to restrict RSS activities in government-run institutions, accusing the organisation of “brainwashing young minds” and promoting an ideology “against the Constitution.”
Congress leader Rashid Alvi later clarified that the debate was not about anyone “wanting the RSS banned,” but about the organisation’s deviation from its original commitments. Speaking to NDTV, Alvi recalled that when Sardar Patel had lifted the earlier ban, it came with several conditions — including a commitment that the RSS would remain a social organisation and not engage in politics.
“Now they are doing politics and destroying the secular fabric of the country. They have not changed. They are misguiding the nation and exploiting religion,” Alvi alleged.
The renewed war of words marks another chapter in the long-running ideological divide between the Congress and the RSS, with both sides trading sharp accusations over nationalism, secularism, and the idea of India.
