RTI: Ministry of Culture Spent Rs 76.13 Lakh on RSS 100-Year Ads

New Delhi, 16 April 2026: An RTI response accessed by RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose has revealed that the Ministry of Culture spent Rs 76,13,129 on advertisements in print media to mark the completion of 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Bose had sought details on expenditure incurred by the ministry on advertisements linked to the centenary celebrations of the RSS.

The RSS, founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, completed 100 years in 2025. The milestone year saw several commemorative events, including one attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where a special coin and stamp were released.

The RTI reply specifies that the amount was spent on advertisements carried across various print media platforms.

The disclosure has triggered criticism from sections of the public, with some questioning the use of taxpayer funds for an event linked to a non-government organisation. Others have pointed to the RSS’s ideological proximity to the ruling establishment while raising concerns over the nature of such expenditure.

As of 16 April, 2026, there has been no official response from the ministry, the RSS, or the BJP regarding the spending.

The RTI disclosure brings focus to how public funds are allocated in the context of commemorative events, particularly when they involve organisations outside the formal structure of the state, leaving room for continued debate over policy, precedent, and proportionality.