Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has come under sharp criticism after sharing a misleading, AI-manipulated photograph to suggest that all four accused in the Bihar ammunition-smuggling case were associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The controversy has raised serious questions about the responsibility of a constitutional office-holder and the dangers of using unverified digital content to manufacture a political narrative against a social organisation.
Original photograph contradicts the political narrative
As per the Organiser reports, the photograph circulating on social media was reportedly traced to an Instagram post published by Abhishek Tiwari, one of the accused, on March 29, 2026. However, the original image showed only Tiwari wearing an RSS uniform. The viral version appeared to have been digitally manipulated to make other individuals look similarly dressed. Changes in faces, clothing and other visual details raised serious doubts about the authenticity of the circulated image. The comparison undermined the claim that the photograph established an RSS connection involving all the accused.
44,250 live cartridges seized in two separate operations
The underlying ammunition-smuggling investigations are serious and demand a thorough investigation. In two separate operations in Bihar and Haryana, police recovered a combined 44,250 live cartridges. Of these, 19,250 were seized in Bihar and another 25,000 in Haryana. These recoveries raise important questions about illegal ammunition diversion, the role of arms dealers, interstate supply networks and the possible recipients of the cartridges. These are the facts that deserve immediate public attention.
Bihar operation: Three accused arrested with 19,250 cartridges
On November 2, Bihar Police and the Special Task Force arrested three smugglers near Kulharia Toll Plaza in Bhojpur district. The police recovered 19,250 live cartridges of different calibres and a country-made pistol from their vehicle. The accused were identified as Chandan Tiwari, Saras Kumar and Laltu Kumar. Investigators are examining the source of the ammunition, its intended destination and the possibility of a wider supply network.
Haryana seizure exposes a larger ammunition network
In a separate operation on November 3, the Haryana Police’s Special Task Force recovered 25,000 cartridges near Rohad in the Jhajjar district. The ammunition was found in two vehicles, a Tata Harrier and a Hyundai Aura. Several individuals were arrested during the investigation, while investigators examined the involvement of arms dealers, including Afifuddin alias Munna Khan and Vijay Goel. Police are also investigating whether ammunition from authorised sources was being diverted into illegal channels. The suspected supply chain and the intended recipients must be thoroughly exposed.
Tejasvi Surya questions Kharge’s credibility
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised Priyank Kharge over the photograph controversy, accusing him of spreading misinformation. The criticism is particularly significant given Kharge’s earlier advocacy of fact-checking mechanisms. A person holding the Home portfolio should set an example by verifying information before making public allegations. Demanding accountability from others while relying on questionable digital material creates an obvious credibility problem.
RSS cannot be dragged into every criminal controversy without evidence
The RSS is a voluntary organisation with a long history of grassroots social work, educational initiatives, community service and disaster relief. Its volunteers have participated in relief and rehabilitation efforts during numerous emergencies across the country. Disagreement with its ideology cannot justify attributing criminal associations to its members or the organisation without credible evidence. Any genuine connection must be established through investigation, documentary evidence and due legal process, not manipulated photographs or political insinuations.
Five questions from Kharge, but where is the evidence?
Priyank Kharge raised several questions about the accused, their organisational positions, the destination of the ammunition and the accountability of the RSS. He also questioned why the organisation was not formally registered and even offered to facilitate its registration. However, these political demands do not answer the central questions surrounding the ammunition racket. Who diverted the cartridges? Which dealers facilitated the supply? Where were the weapons and ammunition headed? Who were the intended recipients? These are the questions that investigating agencies must answer. If Kharge possesses credible evidence of an RSS connection, he should submit it to the appropriate authorities instead of relying on questionable social media material.
From Diwali controversy to another political confrontation
The latest controversy also comes amid criticism of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his description of Diwali as “Khushiyon ka Eid”. BJP leaders questioned why a major Hindu festival needed to be described through a comparison with another religious celebration. Congress leaders defended the remark, arguing that Eid also conveys the meaning of a festival. While political disagreements over language and symbolism are legitimate, Hindu festivals deserve to be recognised and celebrated in their own cultural and religious identity without unnecessary political reframing.
The 44,250-cartridge seizure is a matter of national security, not an opportunity for political point-scoring. Illegal ammunition networks must be dismantled, those responsible must face the law, and every possible connection must be investigated impartially. At the same time, no organisation should be branded guilty through fabricated images or unsubstantiated allegations. Priyank Kharge owes the public clarity on the misleading photograph and the claims made around it. Political opposition is not evidence, social media allegations are not proof, and an attempt to target the RSS cannot replace a genuine investigation into a serious ammunition-smuggling racket.
