He additionally questioned when the RSS would start paying income tax or make its donations transparent to the public. "Only then should they comment on anyone’s personal travel spending," he remarked.
New Delhi: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge responded sharply to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday (May 14) after the party scrutinised Rahul Gandhi’s travel expenses, redirecting attention toward the funding sources behind regular domestic and overseas travel undertaken by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He also called for a “public audit” of the RSS and its network of more than 2,500 associated organisations.
In a statement posted on X, Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own travel record before joining electoral politics. “When Modiji was still a self-described ‘Fakir’ and an RSS pracharak, he reportedly travelled to over 14 nations, including the US, Germany, UK, Guyana, Canada, Malaysia and France,” Kharge stated. “Who financed those visits? Was the funding provided by the RSS, the so-called unregistered ‘NGO’?”
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He further pointed to recent overseas visits by RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale. “Mr. Hosabale has also recently carried out engagements across the UK, US and Germany. Who sponsored those trips? Who covered the travel, accommodation, logistics and outreach costs?” Kharge asked.
Additionally, the Congress leader questioned how the RSS, which he described as “the world’s largest unregistered organisation with enormous financial, political and administrative reach,” finances lavish five-star office complexes and supports its global outreach and overseas lobbying efforts.
“Before BJP MPs and their IT-cell workers seek a breakdown of Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s travel expenses, they should first answer straightforward questions regarding the RSS,” Kharge said, demanding a complete public audit of the RSS and its network of over 2,500 affiliated organisations “through which crores are allegedly channelled.”
He also asked when the RSS would begin paying income tax or publicly reveal its donations. “Only after that should they lecture anyone about private travel expenses,” he added.
