New Delhi: In what appeared to be a response to Congress leaders questioning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) legal status, RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday (November 9) asserted that the Sangh is a “recognised body of individuals” and operates lawfully within the framework of the constitution as "many things are not registered, even Hindu Dharma".

During an internal interaction held as part of the organisation’s centenary lecture series, Bhagwat said that the RSS was founded in 1925, long before Independence, The New Indian Express reported. “RSS was established in 1925, so do you expect us to have registered with the British government,” Bhagwat said, adding “We are categorised as a body of individuals, and we are a recognised organisation. The income tax department asked us to pay income tax, and there was litigation. The court said, this is a body of individuals and our ‘guru dakshina’ was exempted from the income tax."

“Many things are not registered, even Hindu Dharma is not registered,” he added, underlining that the organisation functions within the constitutional framework.

Notably, the RSS, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) ideological parent, was set up in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar. From 1925 till 1947, the organisation did not participate in any campaign or movement for India's freedom. RSS ideologue and chief, M.S., Golwalkar even referred to the anti-British nationalism as reactionary.

Several Congress leaders including Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge questioned the RSS’s lack of legal registration and secrecy regarding their funding. Last week Kharge criticised the organisation for “evading scrutiny and taxes while claiming to serve the nation”. Further, he questioned: “Why does the head of an unregistered organisation receive advanced security liaison protocol, putting him on par with the prime minister and home minister? Why is tax payers money being spent for the head of RSS?"

Also read: 'Isn’t RSS Evading Scrutiny, Taxes': Karnataka Minister Kharge Questions RSS's Funding, Registration

Bhagwat refrained from commenting on the RSS’s sources of funding.

Addressing questions on inclusivity, Bhagwat said the Sangh welcomes everyone, including Muslims. “Individual identities, be it Brahmin, Muslim, or Christian, are dissolved in the shakha,” he said emphasising that all are "sons of Bharat Mata" and the organisation identifies individuals as Hindus beyond denominational lines, as per the TNIE report.

Bhagwat reiterated that India could become a Hindu Rashtra as early as "tomorrow morning” if its 1.4 billion citizens collectively embraced that idea. “Hindu rashtra is the essence of Bharat’s identity and strength which means harmony, equality and unity, not domination. It reflects the cultural foundation that holds the country together,” he was quoted as saying by TNIE.

When asked about the RSS adopting a different flag Bhagwa Dhwaj, he said, “It is not Bhagwa versus Tricolour, but Bhagwa with Tricolour. The Sangh has safeguarded and even sacrificed for the national flag.”

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