Rahul may get invite to RSS programme

NEW DELHI: The RSS may invite Congress president Rahul Gandhi to attend a three-day lecture series by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat here next month, sources in the organisation said on Monday. The idea is to invite people from different ideologies for the event, a source in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said, adding that the list is being prepared and may also include CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Indications that Gandhi could be invited came on a day the RSS criticised him for drawing parallels between the Sangh and Islamic radical outfit Muslim Brotherhood. Giving details of the September event, RSS prachar pramukh Arun Kumar said that the Sangh was for the first time organising a three-day lecture series of its chief Mohan Bhagwat on the theme, Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective.

“Bhagwatji will address and interact with select audience comprising prominent citizens on Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective’ in a threeday lecture series, Kumar told reporters. The event will be held at Vighan Bhavan from September 17 to September 19. Kumar said that people across the country want to know and associate with the RSS.

“This lecture series has been organised in this context... sarsanghchalak (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwatji will present the Sangh views on various contemporary issues of national importance,” Kumar said. Replying to a question on whether Gandhi will also be invited, Kumar said that the list had not been finalised.

“It is our prerogative to choose who to invite or not. Leave this to us... But people from all walks of life, including from different political outfits, ideologies and religions, will be invited,” he said. In June, former President Pranab Mukherjee attended an event at the RSS HQ in Nagpur.

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for likening the RSS to Islamist group Muslim Brotherhood, the Sangh on Monday said the Congress chief cannot understand the saffron outfit as he does not know India.

Last week at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, Gandhi had said the RSS’ idea is similar to that of Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world.

He had also alleged that the RSS was trying to “change” the nature of India and “capture” its institutions.

Responding to the Congress chief ’s charges, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) prachar pramukh (publicity in-charge) Arun Kumar said Gandhi is unaware about the “concept of Muslim brotherhood.” “The entire world today is facing the threat of Islamic fundamentalism. He is unaware... he does not understand the gravity of the situation that’s why he is making such statements,” Kumar said while responding to a question on Gandhi’s remarks about the RSS. Referring to the Congress president’s old statement that he is trying to understand India, the Sangh leader said, “One who doesn’t understand India cannot understand the Sangh.”