I’m not a messenger of govt, says RSS chief Bhagwat
AGRA/LUCKNOW: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told complaining teachers in Agra he was not a “messenger” of the BJP-led central government and goaded young Hindu couples to sire more children, the second comment triggering Opposition flak on Sunday.
BSP chief Mayawati asked if Hindus began procreating more, would the BJP give jobs to the children.
Senior Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan of the Samajwadi Party, known for his controversial remarks, reacted sharply to Bhagwat’s comment on the size of Hindu families.
“He should first ask shahenshah (reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi) to sire children,” he told a television channel.
Bhagwat’s advice to teachers — that they should approach HRD minister Prakash Javadekar with their grievances, instead of him — was viewed as an attempt to delink the central government from the RSS, the BJP’s ideological mentor. The RSS has been often accused of influencing government policies, especially in education.
“I know all of you are thinking that I am a messenger of the government but that is not true. I won’t be able to help you with issues like pension, workplace harassment and others,” he said. He, however, promised he would try to present their case before the government.
Addressing around 2,000 young couples at another a function on Saturday, the 65-year-old Bhagwat urged them to work for family values and help inculcate patriotic sentiments in children.
“Which law says that the population of Hindus should not rise? What is stopping them when population of others is rising? The issue is not related to the system. It is because the social environment is like this,” the RSS chief said.
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