A Bengaluru court has summoned Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Youth Congress leader Mohammed Nalapad following a criminal defamation complaint linked to their alleged remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The summons were issued on June 27, in response to allegations initiated by RSS worker A Tejas, who accused the duo of making defamatory statements.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sandeep Patil decided to take cognizance of the complaint under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), indicating that a case exists against Kharge and Nalapad. The magistrate’s order stated, “Cognizance is taken of the offence punishable under Section 356 of BNS, 2023 against accused Nos.1 and 3. The proceedings against accused No.2 is dropped. Office is directed to register this case as a criminal case and issue summons to accused Nos.1 and 3, returnable by July 21, 2026.”
While the court proceeded against Kharge and Nalapad, it decided not to pursue any actions against former Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, citing lack of sufficient grounds.
Allegations and Background
The complaint stems from a series of statements allegedly made by Kharge in October 2025. A letter penned by Kharge to the Karnataka government on October 4, 2025, reportedly called for the prohibition of RSS activities in government playgrounds, schools, and colleges. The complainant contends that this letter was disseminated to the media and shared on Kharge’s social media, ostensibly to malign the RSS.
Further allegations revolve around social media posts attributed to Kharge on October 13 and 14, 2025. One post reportedly advised against befriending RSS members, suggesting they are “the real abusers.” Another post allegedly claimed that RSS had previously targeted icons such as Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. A Tejas argues that these remarks painted RSS members as sexual predators and extremists, damaging the organisation’s reputation.
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Additionally, the complaint mentions a statement by Mohammed Nalapad during a media interaction, where he allegedly made an obscene remark about RSS members. The complainant described Nalapad’s comment as intended to insult and demean RSS members.
Legal Proceedings and Implications
The complainant asserts that the statements made by Kharge and Nalapad were false, malicious, and intended to tarnish the reputation of the RSS and its supporters. It is alleged that neither of the accused has retracted or apologised for their statements, and their continued online presence has exacerbated the supposed harm.
Regarding Dinesh Gundu Rao, the complaint cited his social media support for Kharge and his critical stance towards the RSS in the context of the murders of noted rationalists and journalist Gauri Lankesh, Govind Pansare, and MM Kalburgi. Nonetheless, the court did not find adequate evidence to proceed against Rao, thus dropping the charges against him.
