RSS is the Taliban of India, says Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad

Senior Congress leader and MLC B.K. Hariprasad accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of being "the Indian Taliban," claiming the far-right organization is not a registered body. During a press conference in Bengaluru, Hariprasad criticized the RSS for not obtaining permission from authorities to conduct functions in public spaces such as parks and grounds. He stated that the organization has been operating without a license for years, likening it to an "underworld" group conducting activities "irresponsibly."

The Congress leader's comments come as the RSS organized a march in various parts of Bengaluru. Hariprasad emphasized that the RSS is not registered with the government and urged the organization to prove its registration. He also highlighted that the Congress party had promised to ban the Bajrang Dal, a youth wing of the RSS, in its manifesto but had not yet done so. The leader questioned why the state government had not taken action against the banned organization despite receiving numerous letters from ministers.

Hariprasad drew parallels between the RSS, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the Taliban, stating that all three organizations are "not registered in India." He called for similar actions taken by the Tamil Nadu government against RSS members, suggesting that Karnataka should also arrest and prosecute RSS individuals. The political leader emphasized that the RSS shakhas (branches) have been conducting activities without proper authorization for a considerable period and demanded stricter monitoring of their activities in the state.