RSS Will Submit Government Land Documents Sooner or Later: Priyank Kharge

By Political Bureau, Bangalore Mail

BENGALURU: Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday issued a firm statement regarding the ongoing scrutiny into land allocated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate organizations during the previous BJP regime. Speaking to reporters, Kharge asserted that the right-wing organization would inevitably have to submit the required documentation concerning these land transactions, “sooner or later.”

The remarks come in the wake of the Congress-led state government’s decision to form a cabinet sub-committee tasked with investigating alleged irregularities in the allocation of government lands. The probe focuses on land parcels handed over to various organizations, including those linked to the RSS, under the previous administration.

Addressing the media, Minister Kharge clarified that the state government is not acting out of political malice or targeting any specific entity. Instead, he emphasized that the administration is merely exercising its duty to safeguard public assets and ensure complete transparency.

“We are not selectively targeting the RSS or any particular organization,” Kharge stated. “Our government has constituted a cabinet sub-committee to comprehensively review all government land allocations made during the previous tenure. There have been several complaints and reports regarding irregularities in these sanctions.”

Responding to questions about potential resistance from the organizations involved, the Minister remained unfazed. “The law of the land applies to everyone equally. If government land has been allocated, there must be proper documentation, adherence to guidelines, and public accountability. The RSS will have to submit the relevant documents sooner or later to the committee. No one is above the law,” Kharge added.

The opposition BJP has previously criticized the move, terming it a “political vendetta” aimed at diverting public attention from the ruling government’s internal challenges. However, the ruling Congress maintains that the review is a necessary step to reclaim illegally occupied or improperly sanctioned public properties.

The cabinet sub-committee is expected to scrutinize hundreds of land verification files over the coming weeks, with Kharge indicating that the findings will be made public once the investigation concludes.