‘What he said is 100 pc accurate’: Minister Yathindra backs BK Hariprasad’s ‘RSS-Taliban’ remark

BENGALURU: Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah backed state Congress president B K Hariprasad’s controversial remarks comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to international terrorist organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Taliban.

Speaking to reporters, Yathindra Siddaramaiah alleged that the RSS is working to divide the country, which he claimed makes them “equal to terrorists”. “What he (BK Hariprasad) said is 100 per cent accurate because they don’t want India to be unified; they want to divide the country based on caste and religion, so they are equal to terrorists”, the minister said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On BK Hariprasad’s remarks on RSS, Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah says, “What he said is 100% accurate because they don’t want India to be unified; they want to divide the country based on caste and religion, so they are equal to terrorists…” pic.twitter.com/pogOYUYpNd

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2026

Earlier, Congress MLC B K Hariprasad had sparked a massive political row by likening the RSS to global terror outfits, alleging that the organisation is involved in activities that disrupt the social fabric of the nation.

Yathindra further alleged that the ideology of the RSS is detrimental to the constitutional values of India. “Their main agenda is to create a rift between communities. When an organisation works against the unity and integrity of the country, such comparisons are justified,” he added.

Hariprasad compared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to international terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Taliban while targeting them over patriotism and legal registration status. Addressing the press here, Hariprasad said, “There is no difference between Jaish-e-Mohammed, Taliban, and RSS because all three are not registered in India.”

Hariprasad’s comments reinforce Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s recent demand for the RSS to publicly clarify under which Indian laws it holds property, bank accounts, and receives donations.

The row over RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) registration flared after BJP national general secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh said at a Hindu Jagarana Vedike ‘Akhand Bharat Sankalp Day’ event that the Sangh does not need legal registration. (ANI)