Congress MP Criticizes RSS Chief's Remarks on Patel and National Flag

Congress MP's Strong Response to RSS Chief's Comments

On Sunday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh condemned the statement made by Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which questioned the reasons behind the formation of the RSS and the directives given by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Ramesh emphasized that Patel had imposed a ban on the RSS, referencing a letter where Patel advised Guru Golwalkar to transform the organization into a transparent entity rather than operating in secrecy.

Ramesh also criticized the RSS for not hoisting the national flag at its Nagpur headquarters for over 50 years, only resuming this practice in 2002 after changes to the flag code. He raised concerns about the RSS's ideology, recalling an incident shortly after the adoption of the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949, when statues of Ambedkar, Patel, Nehru, and Gandhi were burned at Ram Leela Maidan. He questioned, "What ideology fostered an environment that led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi?"

Furthering his accusations, he mentioned a BJP MP from West Bengal, a former judge of the Calcutta High Court, who, when asked about Gandhi or Godse, replied, "I need to think about it." Despite this, he was given a ticket and won the election. Ramesh pointed out that such individuals are busy distributing certificates of nationalism. His comments followed Bhagwat's assertion that the RSS is a staunch nationalist organization.

During the 'RSS 100 Lecture Series' event in Kolkata, Bhagwat reiterated the RSS's long-standing claim that India is a "Hindu nation" due to the cultural ties and majority population's connection to Hinduism. He noted that the term 'secular' was not originally part of the Constitution's preamble but was added during the Emergency period under then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi through the 42nd Amendment in 1976, alongside the term 'socialist.'