“The RSS is a patriotic organisation with a history of over 100 years. It does not need formalities like a registration from the government,” BJP MP Jagadish Shettar said in Belagavi on Wednesday.

“It is registered in the hearts of the people and they know it. But the Home Minister does not know it,” he said in a release.

“The statement by the Home Minister shows his incompetence and nothing else. There is no doubt in the minds of the people about the contribution of the RSS and its service to the nation. RSS volunteers have served the poor and deprived during national calamities and disasters. I would advise Priyank Kharge to focus on his work, rather than worry about such things,” Mr. Shettar, who is a former Chief Minister, said.

“He should focus on improving the living standards of the people in Kalaburagi and discipline the rowdy elements in his home district,” he said.

“Priyank Kharge, who has been raising the issue of registration of RSS, seems to lack knowledge of history of the organisation and current affairs. He should introspect on how a party like the Congress, that imposed the Emergency, is now questioning the legitimacy of the RSS,” he said.

Mr. Shettar said that the then Prime Minister late Jawaharlal Nehru, who was impressed by the discipline and service of RSS volunteers during the India-China war, personally invited the RSS to participate in the 1963 Republic Day Parade.

“Over 3,000 volunteers participated in the parade in full regalia that day,” he said.

“Later, however, Congress governments tried to ban the RSS in 1948, 1975 and 1992. But they failed and had to face humiliation and withdrew the ban orders,” he said.

“The RSS has never worked secretively. All the work of the RSS is in the public domain. Everyone knows it. It is an organization that works in the national interest in the most open and transparent manner. In various cases, the courts have made it clear that the RSS, that serves national interests, does not require registration. RSS has lakhs of branches across the country and has crores of members. Priyank Kharge should join the organisation to understand it better,” Mr. Shettar said.

“As of now, over 1.5 lakh social service projects are being run by RSS-affiliated organizations. Inspired by its ideology, several important organizations, including Rashtroththan Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Seva Bharati, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Sanskrit Bharati, Sahakari Bharati, Seva Bharati, and the BJP, are working independently and legally under various laws of India. Priyank Kharge should stop abusing patriotic organisations for vote-bank politics,” the MP said.