The Congress on Sunday came on defensive mode by clarifying that in its manifesto it has not talked of ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The Congress clarified that it has been mentioned in the manifesto that Congress will ban the participation of Government employees in RSS shakhas.
As the party announced 973 promises to be fulfilled after coming to power, it was mentioned that the party would ban holding of RSS shakhas inside Government buildings and the relaxation earlier extended to Government staffers for taking part in RSS activities in an order would be revoked. Angered by the move, the BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra told the media on Sunday that the Congress seems to be of the view that they will neither the temple (Ram temple) built nor would allow RSS shakhas to take place. An aggressive Patra referred to an old statement of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi saying he had called the urban naxals the revolutionaries.
Mounting the attack further on Congress, the BJP leader claimed during a meeting with US ambassador, Gandhi had claimed that the Congress deemed Hindu and Hindutva more dangerous than organizations like SIMI.
“The Congress always spreads malicious slander against RSS among minorities and other communities,” BJP spokesperson Rajnish Agrawal said, adding Congress chief visits places where anti-India slogans are raised.
Congress defended its move with vigour. “It’s about priorities. Congress wants Government staffers to queue up in RSS shakhas while the Congress wants them to be in their offices so that public don’t need to queue up in government offices,” tweeted MPCC president Kamal Nath.
Party spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi also clarified on the matter saying the manifesto did not announce it intends to ban the RSS, it only aims at disallowing government staffers participation in shakhas. “We want the government staff to fulfill its obligations towards the country and constitution.”
Chaturvedi attacked RSS’ cultural organisation tag saying even the ministers in MP are appointed from Nagpur (The RSS headquarters).