Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday questioned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s silence on allegations of electoral malpractice, accusing the organisation of commenting on a wide range of national issues while remaining quiet on concerns over electoral integrity and accountability.
In posts on X, Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had expressed views on India’s economy, foreign policy, religion, social values, science and family size but had not spoken out on farmers’ distress, students’ concerns or allegations of “vote chori”.
“The RSS has an opinion on everything,” Kharge said, also criticising what he described as attempts to present claims about cow urine and cancer treatment, along with mythological narratives, as scientific facts. He directly questioned Bhagwat, asking, “Where is Mohan Bhagwat ‘ji’ now?”
In a separate post, Kharge questioned the scale of security arrangements in Delhi ahead of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
He referred to reports of Metro station closures, restrictions on train and bus services, preventive detentions and the deployment of thousands of security personnel. Kharge questioned whether the authorities were preparing to manage peaceful demonstrations or creating an atmosphere resembling a national security emergency.
The minister cited claims that 57 Metro stations could be closed, more than 32,000 security personnel had reportedly been mobilised and around 7,000 CRPF personnel had been instructed to carry anti-riot equipment, weapons and ammunition. He also alleged that facial-recognition surveillance had been intensified and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had cancelled engagements outside Delhi to monitor the situation.
These figures and claims were presented by Kharge in his criticism of the reported security measures.
He also questioned the preventive detention of student activists and the enhanced security arrangements for Gyanesh Kumar, while alleging that a social media campaign was being used to defend the CEC.
Kharge concluded with the slogan, “Dono Chowkidar Chor Nikle,” targeting the ruling establishment over the controversy.
FOLLOW NOW
