Priyank Kharge vs RSS: Karnataka Minister posts video of threat call from unidentified man

A day after Karnataka’s IT-BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said he had been “receiving threat calls” for demanding a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its activities on government properties, he posted a video on X on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) where a man can be heard abusing the Minister in harsh and unparliamentary language.

Calling it a sample of the threatening and abusive calls he had been receiving, Mr. Kharge said the video was “is a small example of the kind of filth the RSS is trying to fill in the minds of young people.”

“While the children of BJP leaders are building their bright future, children from poor and disadvantages families are being used as sacrificial goats to abuse and threaten others. If I lodge a complaint, it will only hurt this person’s life and cause no harm to those who pushed him into such a state of mind,” he said.

In the video, which is a recording of the phone conversation between Mr. Kharge and an unidentified man, the caller can be heard using abuses in Hindi directed at the Minister’s mother. In response to this, Mr. Kharge demanded to know whether BJP leaders from Karnataka B.Y. Vijayendra, R. Ashoka, C.T. Ravi, V. Sunil Kumar, Pratap Simmha, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and others “would find it acceptable if such abuses were hurled at the mothers of Modi and Mohan Bhagwath?”

Continuing his tirade against the RSS, he added, “Our fight is not against individuals, but against this dirty mentality being spread by the RSS; it is a fight against evil forces that are brainwashing the innocent and polluting their minds.”

Reiterating the need to introduce the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar to the foot soldiers of the RSS, Mr. Kharge said he would take firm steps to prevent innocent children and the youth from falling victim to such a corrupt system.

“If they thought I would be rattled by these threats and insults, they are delusional. Mine is not just power-centric politics, it is ideological politics, a people-centric politics that strives to bring innocent youth out of this vicious circle”, the Minister said.

Kharge’s letter to CM

On Sunday (October 12, 2025), the day RSS held 100 events across Bengaluru (many on school grounds and other government premises), Mr. Kharge demanded that such activities not be allowed on government properties. He said in his letter to the Chief Minister, “In the interest of the well-being of the country’s children, youth, the public, and society as a whole, I earnestly request that a ban be imposed on all types of activities conducted by the RSS, whether under the name of shakha, sanghik, or baithak on the premises of government properties.”

Mr. Siddaramaiah said on October 13 that he had instructed the Chief Secretary to study measures taken by the neighbouring Tamil Nadu government to restrict the activities of the RSS there.