Bengaluru, 17 August (H.S.): Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president B.K. Hariprasad on Monday triggered controversy by comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh with the Taliban and Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed, citing questions over their legal registration status in India.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Hariprasad claimed there was no difference between the three organisations as none of them was registered under Indian law. His remarks are expected to invite a strong response from the BJP and the RSS.

Hariprasad also reacted to comments made by Keralam Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal amid the continuing controversy over the national song, Vande Mataram. The Congress leader alleged that the RSS had no authority to question the patriotism of others, claiming that its members neither sang Vande Mataram and the national anthem nor hoisted the national flag.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of an FIR registered against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over allegations that they disrupted the rendition of Vande Mataram. Kunnummal had recently criticised opponents of the national song while speaking at an RSS gathering.

Hariprasad's statement also echoes concerns raised recently by Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge about the RSS's legal status. Kharge had asked the organisation to publicly disclose the provisions of Indian law under which it owned properties, maintained bank accounts and received donations.

The issue gained political momentum after BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh said the RSS did not require formal legal registration. Speaking at an Akhand Bharat Sankalp Day programme organised by the Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Santhosh said the Sangh had functioned since 1925 without statutory registration.

He maintained that public trust, rather than paperwork, provided legitimacy to an organisation. Santhosh also highlighted the RSS's activities during Partition and other national crises, arguing that its service to the country did not require government certification.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman