{
  "id": 1674727,
  "title": "‘No difference between Jaish-e-Mohammed, Taliban, RSS’: Karnataka Congress chief",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/no-difference-between-jaish-e-mohammed-taliban-rss-karnataka-congress",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T08:51:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-difference-between-jaish-e-mohammed-taliban-rss-karnataka-congress-chief-bk-hariprasad-101787035875184.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, BK Hariprasad, President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), drew a parallel between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Taliban. Hariprasad made these remarks during a press conference, pointing out that all three organizations are not legally registered in India.\n\nIn response to Kerala Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal’s comments regarding the Vande Mataram controversy, Hariprasad stated that the BJP Yuva Morcha and the ABVP do not need to receive \"patriotism certificates\" from organizations that have not contributed to India’s freedom struggle. Hariprasad also criticized the RSS for not hoisting the national flag for 52 years during their political mentorship.\n\nThe Karnataka Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, recently demanded that the RSS clarify under which Indian laws it holds property, bank accounts, and receives donations. This demand arose after BJP National General Secretary B.L. Santhosh claimed that the Sangh does not require legal registration and has operated since 1925 without statutory status. Santhosh argued that public trust, not paperwork, defines an organization.\n\nKharge accused the BJP, ABVP, and the RSS of weaponizing national symbols, particularly the national song and anthem, and demanded accountability from these organizations. He stated, \"History cannot be a substitute for legal transparency; public accountability must grow too.\" Kharge further emphasized that Congress does not seek validation from these organizations, as they have not played a role in India’s freedom struggle.",
  "summary": "Priyank Kharge criticized the BJP and RSS, saying Congress does not require validation of patriotism from groups lacking contributions to the freedom struggle.",
  "key_points": [
    "BK Hariprasad compares RSS, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Taliban as unregistered groups in India.",
    "Karnataka Home Minister demands RSS clarify legal status of its properties and donations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}