A fresh political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Rural Development and IT Minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities within government premises. The move has sparked a sharp war of words between the Congress and the BJP, with both sides trading barbs online and offline.

In his letter, Priyank Kharge accused the RSS of “spreading divisive ideologies” by conducting shakhas and gatherings inside government schools, playgrounds, and temple grounds. He described these activities as “unconstitutional” and contrary to the principles of secularism and national unity. “The government must ensure that such ideological organisations do not use public property for their political or religious propagation,” Kharge stated in his letter.

However, the letter triggered an immediate response from the Karnataka BJP, which shared a 2002 photograph of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyank’s father, attending an RSS event in Nagavara, Bengaluru, during his tenure as the state’s Home Minister.

Posting the image on X (formerly Twitter), the BJP wrote, “Look here, @PriyankKharge! Your father personally visited the camp, appreciated the RSS’s social service activities, and extended full cooperation. Are you putting on an act today to impress the high command?”

The post quickly went viral, intensifying the political mudslinging.

Priyank Kharge swiftly hit back, calling the BJP’s claims “false propaganda.” Clarifying his father’s visit, he said, “He had gone there with the then Police Commissioner, Sri Sangliana, after a peace committee meeting to caution your people against disturbing law and order.” He further added that Mallikarjun Kharge had clearly instructed the organisers to “abide by the law of the land or be prepared to face consequences.”

The Congress has stood firmly behind Priyank Kharge’s stance, arguing that government institutions must remain neutral spaces and not be used for ideological activities of any kind. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the Congress of “selective secularism”, claiming that the ruling party is targeting nationalist organisations while ignoring similar gatherings by other groups.