Congress tried to ban RSS many times but people have accepted us: Hosabale

The Congress has tried to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh many times in the past but people of India have accepted it, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said on Saturday (November 1, 2025).

He was reacting to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement a function organised to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Friday that he favoured a ban on the Sangh and likened its ideology to ‘poison’.

“It is my personal opinion, and I will say it openly — it should be done as most issues and law and order problems arise because of the BJP-RSS,” Mr. Kharge said while responding to a media question on the need to ban the RSS just like how Mr. Patel had done after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.

Stating that Mr. Kharge should learn from History and past experiences, Mr. Hosabale said, “They have tried to ban us many times. He should learn from earlier experiences. One of their tall leaders tried thrice to impose a ban on the RSS. What happened to it? The Court and the people both gave their verdict and the Sangh is moving ahead.”

He said those seeking a ban on the organisation must give a valid reason for the same. “Ban cannot be done just because someone wishes so. You want to ban the Sangh which works for nation building…,” he said.

Mr. Hosabale was speaking to media on the conclusion of three-day long annual executive body meeting of the RSS held at Jabalpur. The organisation discussed matters such as celebrations following the centenary year of the organisation, situation in Manipur, drugs problem in border districts, growing religious conversions in the country among others, he informed.

The RSS general secretary also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting Manipur and maintained that there were no differences between the Sangh and the BJP.

Applauding mass surrender of Maoists, Mr. Hosabale urged society and governments to give such persons ample respect and opportunities to survive.