Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, demanded accountability from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat over the alleged involvement of RSS-linked individuals in an interstate ammunition-smuggling racket, following the seizure of 44,250 live cartridges across Bihar and Haryana. Kharge described the case as a serious national security concern, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged supply chain and the network's operations.

What Kharge Alleged

Kharge cited photographs purportedly showing some of the accused wearing RSS uniforms, and demanded clarification on whether those individuals were RSS Swayamsevaks, what positions they held within the organisation, and who they were allegedly working for. He also questioned the intended recipients of the seized cartridges, asking whether the ammunition was destined for organised criminal networks, extremist groups, or other unlawful activities.

Notably, Kharge raised concerns about markings on the cartridges reportedly linked to the Khadki ammunition factory in Pune — a government-run facility — and demanded investigators identify licensed arms dealers and intermediaries allegedly involved in diverting the ammunition into illegal channels. He called for a full accounting of how state-manufactured ordnance could have entered the black market.

Demands Directed at BJP and RSS

Kharge criticised what he described as the silence of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS, arguing that organisations that routinely invoke nationalism and national security should be equally accountable when individuals allegedly linked to them come under criminal scrutiny. He questioned the duration of the alleged network's operations, the procurement and transportation routes used, and those ultimately responsible for the illegal trade.

This comes amid broader political tensions between the Congress-led Karnataka government and the BJP-RSS combine, with the state administration making pointed accountability demands of the opposition's parent organisation.

Kharge's Call for RSS Registration

Renewing a longstanding demand, Kharge called for the formal registration of the RSS, arguing that maintaining proper membership records would strengthen organisational accountability and help verify associations in criminal investigations. In a pointed gesture, he addressed Bhagwat directly and offered to personally facilitate the registration process and even cover the registration fees.

Background and Context

The seizure of 44,250 live cartridges across two states has drawn national attention to what investigators are treating as a potentially organised interstate smuggling operation. The alleged link to a government ammunition factory raises questions about supply-chain security within India's defence manufacturing ecosystem. While the investigation remains at an early stage, the political dimensions of the case — amplified by Kharge's statements — have ensured it will receive scrutiny well beyond the law enforcement level. Investigators have yet to publicly confirm the RSS affiliation of any accused, and no formal charge sheet linking the organisation has been filed, according to available reports.