India's Centenarian RSS Remains Unregistered, Sparking Political and Ethical Debate

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological and organizational parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has operated as an unregistered entity for over a century. The RSS maintains that it is a "body of individuals" that does not require registration and is thus exempt from taxes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has referred to it as "the world's largest NGO," while a global database describes its family of organizations as "the largest far-right network in history." India's main opposition party, the Congress, has intensified its criticism of the RSS's unregistered status, demanding that the organization register itself, disclose its funding, finances, office-bearers, and operations, and operate with greater transparency. Priyank Kharge, the home minister in the Congress-run state of Karnataka, questioned the exemption, asking, "In a country where even a street vendor must register... how can RSS be exempted?" He has challenged the RSS to cite the law that exempts them. However, the RSS has consistently maintained its stance that it is a "body of individuals" and not subject to registration or taxation. Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, has stated that they have won legal battles against the Income Tax department when asked to pay taxes. The RSS heads the Sangh Parivar, an umbrella grouping of organizations espousing Hindutva, with a vast and interconnected network. The RSS does not have a formal membership; anyone attending its basic unit, the 'shakha' (daily gathering), becomes a 'swayamsevak' (volunteer). RSS gatherings typically involve physical exercises, games, discussions, and prayers to the "motherland," all centered around the Bhagwa Dhwaj, the RSS' saffron flag. The organization claims to earn from 'gurudakshina' (offerings to the guru or teacher) from swayamsevaks on Guru Purnima, given in closed envelopes, with only the shakha's office-bearers aware of the donations. The debate surrounding the RSS's unregistered status is largely political and ethical, rather than purely legal. The demand for accountability stems from its immense influence and scale. Many current ministers in the Modi government and various BJP-ruled state governments are swayamsevaks, highlighting the organization's deep reach. Some RSS veterans suggest that the organization's fluid structure is a strategic choice, allowing parts of it to remain outside the ambit of potential bans, a lesson learned from its past proscriptions in 1948 and 1975. There are also suggestions that RSS assets are registered under the names of individuals. The RSS operates through numerous affiliated organizations, many of which are registered as trusts or societies and benefit from tax exemptions for charitable purposes. These affiliates are active in diverse fields including politics, education, religion, and social service. For instance, the RSS headquarters in New Delhi is owned by the Shri Keshav Smarak Samiti, a registered society named after the RSS founder. The RSS's new headquarters, inaugurated last year, is a sprawling complex of three 13-storey towers. Research mapping over 2,500 RSS-linked organizations suggests that the network's size and nature are intentionally kept obscure. The RSS's unregistered status, combined with its semi-secret mode of operation, has drawn criticism for allegedly undermining India's secular and inclusive values.