In a statement that is set to stoke an intense political debate, Karnataka’s Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, IT, and BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday said the Congress would “consider banning the RSS” if it comes to power at the Centre.

Kharge’s remarks came in response to senior RSS functionary Dattatreya Hosabale’s comments suggesting that the words secular and socialist should be removed from the Constitution.

Questioning the RSS’s ideological stance, Kharge said, “Since its inception, the RSS has been allergic to the Constitution, to equality, and to the idea of economic equity. They have never accepted the spirit of social justice. They are only reiterating their old mindset.”

He recalled that the Congress had banned the RSS twice in the past and suggested that lifting the ban was a mistake. “When our government comes to power at the Centre, we will look at banning the RSS again,” Kharge declared.

He also took aim at the RSS’s questioning of constitutional terms. “What is wrong with the word secular? What is wrong with socialism? Their ideology supports only one section and one religion, but India belongs to everyone,” he said.

Kharge further lashed out at the Sangh’s version of history, accusing it of spreading misinformation. “They did not participate in the freedom struggle. Now they want to rewrite history on WhatsApp and Facebook,” he alleged.

Referring to constitutional amendments like the abrogation of Article 370 and introduction of Article 371(J), Kharge argued that the Constitution is a living document and can adapt to people’s aspirations, but accused the RSS of lacking understanding of this principle.

He added, “First let them read Ambedkar properly. The RSS has always been opposed to him.”

Kharge ended his remarks with a sharp attack on the BJP, saying, “They bark like stray dogs to distract from real issues. Let them educate themselves first.”