BJP MP’s casteist remarks on Priyank Kharge’s RSS demand spark controversy

BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi has triggered controversy with his remarks against Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge after Kharge demanded that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) disclose its registration details and financial information.

Speaking at a press conference in Vijayapura, Jigajinagi questioned why Kharge, referring to his Dalit background, was raising issues related to the RSS. He suggested that the minister’s caste identity made the matter unrelated to him and questioned the relevance of his demand, Maktoob Media reported.

The BJP MP also made a controversial remark warning that those who challenge the RSS have not survived, which was interpreted by critics as a threatening statement.

Jigajinagi further criticised Kharge’s appointment as Home Minister, alleging that his political position was influenced by his father Mallikarjun Kharge’s long political career. He questioned Kharge’s capability to handle the Home portfolio.

The comments came after Priyank Kharge wrote an open letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asking the organisation to formally register itself and make public details about its legal status, leadership structure, funding sources, expenditure, taxation and permissions for conducting public activities.

Kharge argued that an organisation with the RSS’s large-scale presence and influence should follow transparency and accountability standards similar to other public organisations, trusts and institutions.

Referring to figures mentioned in the RSS’s 2025–26 annual report, Kharge said the organisation had reported thousands of activities in Karnataka, including 4,127 daily shakhas, 1,389 weekly milans, 60 monthly mandalis, 2,194 Samajotsavas, and 562 route marches. He argued that such an extensive network required greater transparency regarding finances, regulatory compliance and legal status.

Kharge called on the RSS to register itself, disclose financial records, comply with applicable tax requirements and operate within constitutional and legal frameworks.

Priyank Kharge hits back at remarks, calls them casteist

Priyank Kharge has strongly criticised Jigajinagi’s remarks questioning why a Dalit leader was raising concerns about the RSS calling the comments casteist and reflective of prejudice.

Kharge said Jigajinagi’s comments raised questions about whether they reflected frustration, a belief that Dalits should not question organisations like the RSS, or an attempt to suggest that Dalits lacked the right to challenge powerful institutions.

Questioning Jigajinagi’s warning, Kharge asked what was meant by the claim that no one had survived after opposing the RSS. He questioned whether the statement was intended to create fear and whether the organisation was being portrayed as one that eliminates its critics.

Stating that he followed the ideology of B. R. Ambedkar, Kharge said he would not be intimidated and that Ambedkar’s principles gave him the courage to raise questions.

Supporting Kharge, Congress leader Pawan Khera accused RSS supporters of responding to legitimate questions with caste-based attacks. He alleged that criticism of Kharge’s demand exposed a discriminatory mindset.

Khera defended Kharge’s call for transparency, saying the question about why the RSS was not formally registered was valid. He reiterated the Congress demand that the organisation disclose relevant documents and make them publicly available.