Minister Priyank Kharge shares video of abusive call, vows to protect youth from extremism

Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday shared a video of a phone call in which an unidentified man, claiming affiliation with the RSS, can be heard "abusing" him in Hindi.

This comes a day after Kharge claimed that he has been receiving threat calls, targeting him and his family, for seeking a ban on RSS activities in government premises.

In the clip, Kharge is heard questioning the caller whether the RSS and its Shakha taught him such abusive language and if RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat or BJP national General Secretary B L Santosh endorsed it.

Uploading the video of the conversation, Kharge in a post on X said, "I said that RSS is working to fill the minds of youth and children with filth, here is a small example of what the filth they have filled looks like. This is just a sample of the threats and abusive calls that I have been receiving continuously for the past few days."

"Is insulting mothers and sisters by calling them names and insulting them in the most despicable way the culture taught at Shakhas? Do BJP leaders like BY Vijayendra, R Ashoka, C T Ravi, Sunil Kumar, Prathap Simha, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy approve of Modi and Mohan Bhagwat's mothers being abused in this way?" he asked.

While the children of BJP leaders are building bright futures, the children of the poor are being used to abuse and intimidate in this way, Kharge said.

"If I file a complaint, the life of that person will be harmed, but no harm will come to those who pushed him into such a state of mind." "Ours is not a fight against individuals, but against this dirty mentality spread by RSS, a fight against the evil forces that are brainwashing the innocent and polluting their thoughts."

Saying that RSS foot soldiers need exposure to the teachings of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar to counter "divisive ideologies", the minister said, "I will fight and take firm steps to prevent innocent children and the youth from falling prey to such a polluted system." "If they thought that I would be disturbed by these threats and insults, it is only their illusion. Mine is not just power-centric politics, but ideological politics, people-centric politics that will bring the innocent youth out of the vicious circle," he added.

Kharge, who is Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj had urged Chief Minister Siddaramiaah to impose a ban on all RSS activities in government institutions and public premises across the state, claiming that such actions are contrary to India's unity and the spirit of the Constitution.

In a letter to the chief minister dated October 4, Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been conducting its 'shakhas' in government and government-aided schools, as well as on public grounds, where "slogans are shouted and negative ideas are instilled in the minds of children and youth." Following this, CM Siddaramaiah on Monday said he has directed the state Chief Secretary to examine Tamil Nadu's actions regarding a ban on RSS activities on government premises.