Which freedom struggle did RSS join? Priyank Kharge's scathing attack on Sangh

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday used the 80th Independence Day to launch a sharp attack on the RSS, questioning its role in the freedom movement and challenging it to name members who had sacrificed their lives during the struggle against British rule.“My only question to the RSS is this: tell us which freedom struggle you participated in,” Kharge said.He claimed he could provide a list of 500 Congress members who were martyred during the freedom struggle and challenged the RSS to produce a list of even 50 such names.Kharge accused the RSS of contributing to communal tensions after Partition, asking what role the organisation had played in protecting people during the riots that followed. Kharge also questioned the organisational status of the RSS, arguing that it could not simply be “banned” because, according to him, it was not registered.“RSS cannot be banned. What Santosh and Mohan Bhagwat said is true: they cannot be banned. The reason is that they are not even registered. For me to ban your organisation, shouldn’t you be registered first?” he said. His remarks came amid a separate political battle in Karnataka over the state government’s proposed legislation to regulate the use of government premises and public property by organisations, a move that could affect activities such as RSS shakhas held in public spaces.KHARGE DEFENDS BILL ON USE OF PUBLIC SPACESMeanwhile, Kharge defended the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, rejecting BJP's allegations that it was aimed specifically at the RSS.Under the proposed legislation, organisations would need permission from the competent authority before holding programmes on public property or government premises, regardless of whether they are formally registered.He questioned why the BJP was opposing the proposed law before examining its provisions. “Does that Bill mention the name of any organisation, association, institution or political party?” Kharge asked.He said the legislation was intended to give statutory backing to existing Supreme Court and High Court directions regulating the use of public spaces.Kharge maintained that organisations would remain free to conduct activities on private premises but argued that the government had a responsibility to regulate events, processions and gatherings held on public property.“Whatever you want to do, do it inside your house compound or office compound. Nobody has any issue,” he said.He also rejected suggestions that the Bill amounted to a ban on any organisation. “Where have we said in the Bill that it is a ban?” Kharge asked, accusing the BJP of suffering from what he called “Priyank-phobia”.The proposed law has triggered a political confrontation because of its possible implications for organisations that regularly use government grounds and other public spaces, including the RSS.- EndsPublished By: Aprameya RaoPublished On: Aug 15, 2026 16:58 IST