Kharge Calls for Ban on RSS, Cites Patel’s 1948 Letter Linking Group to Gandhi’s Assassination

A political storm erupted after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing the organisation of spreading unrest across the country. Speaking at an event marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the 41st death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, Kharge cited a historic letter written by Patel in 1948 that allegedly linked the RSS to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

"It is my personal opinion - the RSS should be banned, as most law and order issues stem from the BJP-RSS nexus," Kharge declared, reigniting a long-dormant debate about the Sangh's role in independent India's early years.

'Rewriting History' Allegations

Kharge accused the Modi government of "whitewashing history" by removing references to Gandhi, Godse, and the RSS from textbooks. "Sardar Patel banned the RSS in the interest of the nation and secularism. Today, they are rewriting history to suit their ideology," he said.

He also rejected attempts to portray Patel and Nehru as political rivals, insisting the two shared deep respect and a shared vision for a united India.

PM Modi Counters

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paying tribute to Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, fired back. Modi credited Patel for integrating over 500 princely states and accused the Congress of blocking Patel's plan to fully merge Kashmir with India.

"Sardar Patel wanted to unite the entire Kashmir, but Nehru ji stopped his wish from being fulfilled. That mistake divided Kashmir and gave it a separate Constitution and flag," Modi said, calling it a "historic blunder" that hurt the nation for decades.

With both leaders invoking Sardar Patel's legacy, the day meant to honour the Iron Man of India turned into yet another flashpoint in the ongoing ideological clash between the BJP and Congress.