Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge says RSS has not replied to his letter on several queries
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday stated that he is in no hurry for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to respond to the letter he wrote raising a series of questions, remarking: 'abhi picture baaki hai' (the picture is not complete yet).
Addressing presspersons in Kalaburagi, Mr. Kharge said that the RSS has not yet replied to his letter. He dismissed reports that the organisation is collecting information about him and his family, saying, 'Let them do it.'
The Home Minister reiterated that the RSS would have to obtain prior permission for its route marches. He added that future applications will be considered according to court directions, government guidelines, and the prevailing law-and-order situation.
Questioning the RSS's practice of collecting Guru Dakshina, Mr. Kharge sought transparency in the accounting of funds. He also claimed that the RSS can be linked to irregularities surrounding donations made for the Sri Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Referring to reports of theft involving cash, gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables, as well as irregularities in construction contracts of the Sri Ram temple, Mr. Kharge said, 'If there is a donation scam, I have no doubt that the RSS has a share in it.'
The RSS has not responded to these allegations yet, he added.
Mr. Kharge also criticised the Union government's foreign policy and questioned why retail fuel prices have not been reduced despite a fall in global crude oil prices.
On the topic of Cabinet expansion, Mr. Kharge said that the Congress leadership has been urged to ensure greater representation for the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Regarding new police stations, he said that proposals will be assessed according to Central norms, with crime patterns—rather than geographical extent—determining the need for new stations, including within the Kalaburagi Police Commissionerate.
Mr. Kharge also stated that the government is open to constructive suggestions from institutions like the Lokayukta. He added that the government is working on a legally sustainable transfer policy for personnel in the Home and Prisons departments who have remained in the same postings for long periods.
