Congress leader says 'corruption cannot be accepted in Ram's name'; addresses 10-day DCC training camp valedictory

Congress national media and publicity department chief Pawan Khera arrived in Raipur on Sunday night for the valedictory function of the party's 10-day residential training camp for District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents. Even before he addressed the gathering, Khera launched a blistering attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting that the organisation had no contribution to India's freedom struggle.

"Organisations like the RSS have never participated in the freedom movement. They have only worked to weaken the country and Hindu society," Khera told reporters upon his arrival.

Taking aim at RSS senior pracharak Indresh Kumar's recent remarks on Mahatma Gandhi, Khera said he would not waste much time responding to such statements, adding that issues concerning the public were far more important.

 'Corruption in Ram's name unacceptable'

The Congress leader also trained his guns on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid the ongoing donation controversy. Khera questioned the functioning of the temple trust, alleging it was constituted under RSS influence and oversight, with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also keeping a watch on its activities.

"Corruption in the name of Lord Ram cannot be accepted," Khera said, linking the trust to what he described as a pattern of irregularities in temple administration.

The controversy relates to the resignation of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra following allegations of misappropriation of donations. Khera has previously questioned the RSS and the Centre's role in temple administration, demanding an impartial probe.

 Training camp concludes in Raipur

The 10-day training camp, which began on June 20, saw participation from newly appointed DCC presidents from across the country. The camp focused on organisational strengthening, election preparedness, media management and better public communication.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had earlier visited the camp in Abhanpur on Sunday, spending 40 minutes with senior leaders and holding direct interactions with district and city presidents.

Khera praised the training initiative and called for similar camps to be conducted nationwide. "Such a long camp was organised, in which Rahul Gandhi also came," Khera told reporters.

 Political context

The Congress attack comes at a time when the party is looking to rebuild its organisational structure ahead of upcoming elections. The Raipur camp was seen as a key initiative to align district-level leadership with the party's central messaging.

Earlier, on June 19, Khera had launched a scathing attack on the RSS, backing Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge's call for the RSS to register as an organisation and operate under the Constitution.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, meanwhile, used the occasion to criticise the Congress over the 1975 Emergency, accusing Indira Gandhi of suppressing constitutional rights.