Cong says Bhagwat must apologise for ‘insulting’ the army

The Congress on Monday demanded an apology from Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for “insulting” the armed forces with his purported remarks on Sunday that the body could raise its own army faster than the Indian army could.

The principal Opposition party also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify if he approved of a “private militia” to guard the nation’s borders.

The RSS, however, said that Bhagwat’s remarks were “misrepresented”.

The Sangh’s spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya said Bhagwat was suggesting that if the country’s law calls for raising an armed force, the preparation time for ordinary citizens would be six months, but volunteers of the Sangh would take a shorter time to be ready because of the discipline that they follow.

“Both are to be trained by the Indian army only,” he said in a statement.

Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi condemned Bhagwat’s remarks. “The RSS chief’s speech is an insult to every Indian because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army,” Gandhi tweeted.

“The RSS chief should apologise as he has put a question mark on the capability and bravery of the Indian Army. Such shocking and disturbing statements and thoughts weaken the morale of our armed forces,” Congress leader Anand Sharma said at a press briefing.

Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Jayant Sinha dismissed the controversy. “The Opposition is making unnecessary noise,” Sinha was quoted as saying.

RSS SAYS REMARKS MISREPRESENTED AS A COMPARISON BETWEEN SANGH AND ARMY