In the wake of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent call for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the organisation has issued a firm rebuttal, asserting that it is a widely accepted body engaged in nation-building and does not warrant prohibition. Speaking at the RSS All India Executive Board meeting in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale strongly opposed Kharge’s demand for a ban, emphasizing that any such action must have a compelling rationale, which, according to him, is entirely absent in the current discourse.

Hosabale argued that the RSS has long been an organisation rooted in social service, moral development, and fostering a sense of patriotism among citizens, particularly the youth. He questioned what tangible benefit could be derived from banning an organisation that, in his view, has been “accepted by the public” and has made sustained contributions to nation-building. “There must be a reason behind the ban. What will be gained by banning an RSS that is engaged in nation-building? The public has already accepted the RSS,” Hosabale remarked, defending the organisation’s activities and asserting its legitimacy within the democratic framework of India.

The RSS general secretary’s comments come in direct response to Kharge’s statement, made during a press interaction, in which the Congress chief alleged that the RSS has links to the worsening law and order situation in India. Kharge, who has been vocal on several issues concerning governance and internal security, argued that the RSS operates with an ideological agenda that, in his view, has influenced incidents of violence and communal tension across the country. The Congress chief’s call for banning the RSS reflects an attempt to hold the organisation accountable for its perceived role in influencing political and social dynamics, particularly in light of recent controversies and incidents linked to its affiliates.

However, the RSS leadership has categorically rejected any suggestion that the organisation has contributed to instability. Hosabale elaborated on the historical contributions of the RSS, highlighting its work in education, disaster relief, social service, and character-building programs across the country. According to him, the organisation has inspired millions of young Indians to engage in nation-building activities, volunteerism, and community service, thereby fostering a sense of civic responsibility and patriotism. “The RSS has consistently worked towards social cohesion, national integration, and the development of youth. It is an organisation that has been accepted by people of all backgrounds because of its service-oriented approach,” Hosabale said.

Supporting the RSS leadership, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also dismissed Kharge’s demand for a ban. Speaking at the NDTV Bihar Power Play conclave in Patna, Shah described the RSS as an institution that has played a transformative role in inspiring youth and instilling values of discipline and patriotism. “He (Kharge) did not provide any reason. We all know that the RSS is an organisation that has inspired millions of youth like me to make the country a better place. It has instilled values of patriotism and discipline,” Shah stated. His remarks underscored the ruling party’s longstanding position that the RSS operates as a socio-cultural organisation rather than a politically coercive entity.

Beyond defending the organisation, Hosabale also addressed broader socio-demographic issues, calling for a comprehensive population policy to address perceived imbalances in the country’s demographic composition. According to the RSS general secretary, three primary factors contribute to demographic destabilisation: infiltration from outside the country, religious conversion, and the demographic dominance of particular communities in certain regions. He argued that a structured and effective population policy is necessary to safeguard national interests while ensuring equitable growth and development for all communities. “There are three main reasons for destabilising demography — infiltration, religious conversion, and dominance of one community in the country. Therefore, a population policy is necessary,” Hosabale said, framing the discussion within the context of national security and social stability.

Hosabale also addressed the ongoing debates surrounding the caste census, urging that the exercise be conducted in a non-partisan and objective manner. He stressed that the caste census should serve the economically and socially backward sections of society rather than being used as a tool for political gain or manipulation. “A caste census should not be politicised. Its purpose must be to serve the economically and socially backward sections of society. The exercise should inform policy-making and targeted welfare initiatives, not become a political instrument,” he said. This emphasis on objectivity and policy relevance reflects the RSS’s stated position that data collection and governance mechanisms should be rooted in developmental goals rather than electoral expediency.

The reactions from the RSS leadership and Union ministers illustrate the starkly contrasting positions held by the ruling party and the opposition regarding the role and influence of the RSS in Indian society. While Kharge has positioned the RSS as a factor in rising law and order issues, the organisation and its supporters argue that it is a constructive socio-cultural body, deeply embedded in grassroots service and community development initiatives. This divergence of perspectives highlights the broader political contestation over ideology, governance, and the role of socio-cultural organisations in shaping public life in India.

Historically, the RSS has maintained a presence in Indian society since its founding in 1925, with a focus on ideological training, social service, and volunteerism. Over the decades, it has established a network of affiliated bodies in education, health, rural development, and disaster relief. Proponents argue that the organisation has positively impacted millions of Indians by encouraging civic responsibility, discipline, and social cohesion, while critics contend that its ideological leanings have influenced political narratives and occasionally contributed to social tensions. The current debate, spurred by Kharge’s remarks, represents the latest episode in an ongoing discourse about the RSS’s role in modern India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments reinforce the BJP’s stance that the RSS functions as a voluntary organisation that nurtures leadership and civic consciousness among Indian youth. According to Shah, the RSS’s contributions to social service and nation-building are well-documented and form a core part of the organisation’s identity. He argued that Kharge’s demand for a ban lacks specificity and does not provide concrete evidence linking the RSS to law and order problems. Shah’s defense of the RSS also underscores the ideological alignment between the ruling party and the organisation, which has historically shared complementary objectives in fostering nationalism and civic engagement.

Hosabale’s emphasis on population policy and demographic concerns reflects the RSS’s broader strategic outlook on national planning and development. By advocating for interventions to address infiltration, religious conversion, and demographic imbalances, he frames these issues as central to maintaining social stability and equitable development. Additionally, his call for a non-politicized caste census underscores the organisation’s stated commitment to ensuring that policy instruments serve marginalized and disadvantaged communities rather than become electoral tools. These positions signal the RSS’s ongoing engagement with policy debates on national security, development, and social equity.

In conclusion, the debate sparked by Mallikarjun Kharge’s call for a ban on the RSS has highlighted the sharply contrasting narratives surrounding the organisation’s role in Indian society. While Kharge has raised concerns about the RSS’s influence on law and order, the organisation’s leadership, along with supportive voices from the government, have defended its activities, stressing its contributions to nation-building, youth development, and social service. Dattatreya Hosabale’s statements, supported by Amit Shah, underline the claim that the RSS operates with widespread public acceptance and should not be subjected to arbitrary prohibition. Simultaneously, Hosabale’s emphasis on population policy and the need for a non-politicized caste census illustrates the RSS’s engagement with contemporary governance and social policy issues. As India continues to navigate debates over ideology, governance, and national development, the conversation around the RSS and its role in public life is likely to remain a prominent point of contention in the political discourse.