Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that the organisation doesn’t have to pay income tax. While addressing the questions about RSS’s registration at the ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons” lecture series, Bhagwat said that the organisation has been recognised as a body of individuals by the Income Tax Department and the court, which is why it is exempted from paying income tax.
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The debate over RSS’ registration status
Commenting on the ongoing debate over why RSSis not formally registered, Bhagwat said “Many things are not registered. Even Hindu dharma (religion) is not registered.”
[img=1px,1px]https://data.indianexpress.com/election2019/track_1x1.jpg[/img]He added that the organisation has been banned three times in the past, which shows the government recognises its presence.
Responding to claims that the RSS respects only the saffron flag and not the Indian tricolour, Bhagwat said the saffron flag is seen as a Guru within the organisation, but the national flag is always respected, honoured, and protected.
His comments came afterCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the RSS should be banned. His son, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, also called for a ban on RSS activities in government offices and public spaces, questioning the group’s registration and funding sources.
Bhagwat clarified that the RSS is not linked to any political party and does not take part in elections or vote politics. He said the organisation’s focus is on uniting society, while politics naturally creates divisions, so the RSS stays away from it.
Bhagwat says RSS backs policies, not political parties
The RSS chief added that the organisation supports good policies rather than any individual or political party. He explained that the Sangh works to promote what it believes is right, regardless of who proposes it.
Using the Ram Mandir movement in Ayodhya as an example, Bhagwat said RSS volunteers backed the temple’s construction. He added that if any other party, including Congress, had supported the cause, the Sangh would have stood with them too.
Bhagwat stressed that RSS does not belong to any one political group. He said the organisation aims to unite all sections of society and believes in progress for everyone, even without using popular slogans.
Bhagwat on India-Pak relationship
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the organisation has always supported peaceful relations with Pakistan. However, he added that peace cannot be achieved as long as Pakistan continues to harm India for its own satisfaction. He said India should maintain peace from its side, but warned that if Pakistan breaks it, it will not succeed.
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Referring to the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, Bhagwat said Pakistan should remember the consequences of its actions. He cautioned that if the country does not change its behaviour, it will eventually face another harsh lesson. Bhagwat said it is better to cooperate than to fight, but India must respond strongly whenever provoked so that Pakistan regrets its actions.
Speaking about caste in Indian society, Bhagwat said the problem today is not caste discrimination but confusion created for political benefits and reservations. He said there is no need to fight caste divisions but to forget them, something he believes individuals can easily do on their own. |
