Storm erupts over Bhagwat’s Army remarks
The Congress and other Opposition parties on Monday demanded an apology from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for his reported remarks on the Indian Army, while the Sangh issued a statement where it said the remarks of its chief had been misinterpreted.
In Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reiterated her appeal for an IndiaPakistan dialogue to end the violence in the state, even as a gunfight raged between terrorists and security forces in Srinagar. The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the attack on the CRPF camp. The heavily armed militants tried to strike the CRPF camp, located very close to SMHS Hospital, from where Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Naveed Jutt alias Abu Hanzala, was freed from police custody by terrorists on February 6. The incident comes two days after Jaish-eMohammad militants attacked an Army camp in the Sunjwan area of Jammu, killing six people, including five soldiers.
As for the controversy over Bhagwat’s remarks, RSS publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya said in a statement its chief’s remarks at an RSS workers meet in Bihar on Sunday were made as a comparison between common people and Sangh volunteers( sway ams eva ks) and were in “no way a comparison” with the Indian Army.
Bhagwat's reported remarks that the RSS could “prepare” military personnel faster than the Army were criticised by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties. The Trinamool also slammed Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju for defending Bhagwat’s remarks.
In Agartala, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ram Madhav, who has served in the RSS, said Bhagwat might have made the comments to highlight the Sangh’s state of readiness. “RSS volunteers are always willing to stand with the Army for the nation’s security,” Madhav said.
Asked about Bhagwat's comments at a press conference, BJP President Amit Shah said he had heard of them only through social media and would react after getting to know what Bhagwat had said exactly. Shah rejected the Opposition’s criticism of the Centre and the J&K governments, following a terror attack on an Army camp in Sunjwan. He said more terrorists were killed under the Na rend ra Mo di government’s tenure than any other over the same period of time.
Targeting Bhagwat for his remarks, the Congress president tweeted, “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. #ApologiseRSS.”