Amit Shah Counters Mallikarjun Kharge’s Call To Ban RSS, Calls It “Patriotic Organisation That Built the Nation”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly countered Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent demand to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), describing the organisation as a “patriotic force” that has shaped millions of Indians and produced two of the nation’s most respected prime ministers — Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.
Speaking at the Bihar Power Play conclave in Patna on Saturday, Shah defended the century-old organisation, calling it “a movement that instilled discipline, service, and nationalism among India’s youth.”
“Mallikarjun Kharge didn’t give any reason for wanting a ban. The RSS has inspired millions like me to dedicate our lives to the nation. Two people from the RSS — Vajpayee ji and Modi ji — have gone on to become among the most admired Prime Ministers of India,” Shah told NDTV’s Rahul Kanwal.
The RSS, which serves as the ideological parent of the BJP, plays a crucial role in the party’s electoral mobilisation and social campaigns.
“The RSS’s contribution to national development, social unity, and youth empowerment is unparalleled,” Shah said. “Kharge’s intention to ban it will never be fulfilled because the people of India respect the RSS for its service to the country.”
Kharge’s Controversial Call for a Ban
The remarks came a day after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a ban on the RSS, arguing that if Prime Minister Modi truly respected Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s legacy, he should act on Patel’s historical criticism of the organisation.
“These are my personal views. There should be a ban on the RSS. All law and order issues in the country stem from BJP and RSS,” Kharge said on Friday.
His comments followed PM Modi’s speech in Gujarat, where the Prime Minister accused the Congress of “failing to uphold Sardar Patel’s vision of unity.”
Mixed Reactions Within Congress
Interestingly, Kharge’s demand drew skepticism from within his own party. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram questioned the feasibility of banning the RSS in the present-day legal and political landscape.
“There was a time when RSS was banned, but the ban was later revoked. I disagree with their ideology, but a ban is neither feasible nor sustainable today. The government itself is run by those closely associated with the RSS,” Chidambaram said.
RSS’s Legacy and Shah’s Praise
Founded in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar in Nagpur, the RSS has been banned three times in independent India — but each time, the ban was lifted. The organisation, now in its centenary year, remains one of the most influential social movements in the country.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi described the RSS as “India’s banyan tree of immortal culture and modernisation” during his historic visit to the organisation’s Nagpur headquarters — the first by a sitting Prime Minister.
Shah echoed that sentiment at the Patna event:
“The RSS has built millions of patriots. Many of them have no homes, no families — their only goal is to serve Bharat Mata. It’s the largest self-run organisation in the world and a true embodiment of service and sacrifice.”
Closing his remarks, Shah issued a political warning:
“Those who talk about banning the RSS forget that elections are around the corner. The people will respond to such statements through their votes.”
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
