Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a ban on the RSS, blaming it and the BJP for most law and order problems in India. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of disrespecting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy by allowing government employees to associate with the RSS. The remarks came on Patel's 150th birth anniversary.
On Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sharply criticized the RSS and BJP during a press briefing in Delhi. He called for an outright ban on the RSS, stating that most law and order issues in the country arise because of the BJP-RSS combine. 'It is my personal opinion and I will say it openly, it should be done,' Kharge said.
Kharge referenced Patel's historical decision to ban the RSS immediately after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948 by Nathuram Godse. 'Patel had banned the RSS in the aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination,' he noted, emphasizing Patel's efforts to foster unity and peace in India. He accused Modi of insulting Patel's legacy by permitting government employees to join the RSS, saying, 'Naturally he (PM Modi) is disrespecting our Vallabhbhai Patel ji, who himself gave all the reasons why he banned the RSS and there is no ambiguity.'
Further, Kharge alleged that the government has removed references to Gandhi, Godse, the RSS, and the 2002 Gujarat riots from NCERT textbooks, accusing Modi of 'distorting the truth.' He warned, 'Anyone who tries to break that unity should be taught a lesson. And, you know who are those people who are breaking that unity.'
The BJP swiftly condemned Kharge's statements. National spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra accused him of echoing the language of the Popular Front of India (PFI), Muslim League, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Patra urged Kharge to study the history of the RSS and India before making such 'objectionable' comments.
This exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the Congress and BJP over Patel's legacy and the role of the RSS in Indian politics.