The RSS on Tuesday praised former president and Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee for accepting their invitation to address RSS workers in Nagpur even as the veteran leader's decision has made many in the Congress camp uncomfortable.
The RSS invited Pranab Mukherjee to address their workers at headquarters in Nagpur on June 7.
"This isn't surprising for those who know and understand the Sangh, because RSS has always invited prominent people of the society in its programmes. This time, we invited Dr Pranab Mukherjee and it's his greatness that he has accepted our invitation," read a statement from RSS, reports ANI.
The former president will address the Third Year Sangha Shiksha Varga (SSV), which is held at the RSS headquarters annually in Nagpur.
"Dr Mohan Bhagwat, chief of RSS, will be the keynote speaker at the function. Every year, for 25 days workers from all over the country come to take the training of union work. This year, the class started May 14 and will conclude on June 7. In this, 709 volunteers are taking training from all the states," the statement further read.
Also Read
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat slams Mamata govt over RG Kar crime: ‘Result of nexus between crime and politics’
- Eliminate caste, language differences, Hindu society must unite for its security: Mohan Bhagwat
- 'Centre cares about monkeys, boars than humans', 'we worship snakes that Chinese...': 5 things from CPM leader KP Udayabhanu's speech
- RSS affiliated bodies to meet for three days in Kerala; to discuss Bangladesh
- Pranab Mukherjee and family were Sheikh Hasina's home away from home in 1975
Meanwhile, according to media reports, several Congress leaders expressed their reservations over the decision of Pranab Mukherjee.
Former Union Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told The Indian Express that Pranab Mukherjee's presence at an RSS event will not make the former president any less secular. “He is an intelligent person. He has been the President of India. He is secular minded. So there will be no change in his behaviour by going there. He will remain the same,” Shinde was quoted as saying.
Playing down the issue, another Congress leader Manish Tewari said as the former president accepted the invitation of the RSS, Pranab Mukherjee himself is the right person to comment on the issue.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told a TV channel that the RSS should know the words the former president used to describe it. According to him, Pranab Mukherjee had said there is nothing worse or filthier than the RSS and that he (Mukherjee) had dubbed the Sangh as 'anti-national'. “Why is the RSS calling such a person. Has he (Pranab Mukherjee) changed his view or has the RSS lost its self-respect,” he asked.
Former Union minister A.K. Antony said he is unaware of any such developments.
The BJP, meanwhile, said there should be no problem if the former President visits RSS event. "If former president Pranab Mukherjee joins, it is good. What is the problem if the former president visits RSS event. RSS is an organisation of the nation. There should not be any political untouchability in the country," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said said.
(With ANI inputs)