Mukherjee has shown mirror of truth to RSS: Congress
Thursday - June 7, 2018 10:22 pm ,
Category : INDIA
Mukherjee has shown mirror of truth to RSS: Congress
New Delhi June 7 (IANS) Hours after Congress leaders had slammed former President Pranab Mukherjee for attending an RSS event the party on Thursday praised him for showing "mirror of truth" to the Sangh by reminding it of Indias pluralism tolerance secularism and inclusiveness as an article of faith and soul of the country.
The party also said Mukherjee reminded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his Rajdharma and that "Indian nationalism is constitutional patriotism".
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also said in a statement that Mukherjee s visit to RSS headquarters had caused wide ranging discussion comment concern and even consternation amongst a large section of Indians who have an innate belief in foundational values of democracy pluralism and diversity.
His statement came soon after Mukherjee had delivered his nearly 30-minute address at the RSS headquarters during its third year annual training camp. Earlier several Congress leaders including Mukherjee s daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee Ahmed Patel and Anand Sharma had slammed him for attending a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh event in Nagpur.
"Pranab Mukherjee has shown the mirror of truth to the RSS at RSS headquarters in Nagpur by reminding them of India s pluralism tolerance secularism and inclusiveness as an article of faith and soul of the country " said Surjewala.
"He particularly highlighted the imperative need of freeing the public discourse from all forms of violence - physical and verbal besides putting compassion harmony and non-violence as the centre stage of our public life " he added.
Surjewala said Mukherjee also reminded the Modi government of following ‘Rajdharma founded upon our diversity non-violence multiculturalism and assimilation of ideas particularly that ‘happiness of people is the happiness of ruler their welfare is his welfare .
"Indicating the unchecked exercise of authority and attack on institutions in garb of a self-professed definition of pseudo nationalism he reminded the RSS as also the prime minister that Indian nationalism is constitutional patriotism " he added.
Noting that as Indians and as Congressmen they encourage and believe in the democratic dialogue and recognise the tight and sanctity of dialogue across different thought processes Surjewala asked: "Simple issue to understand however is - dialogue is possible in democratic order with an open mind and willingness to change accept and adapt to the other person s point of view "
"Is RSS ready to listen? Is RSS ready to change? Is RSS ready to admit its mistakes - both of thought and action? Is RSS ready to adapt to India s foundational values of pluralism tolerance non-violence secularism and diversity?
"Is RSS ready to give up its prejudice vis-a-vis women dalits backwards minorities and the deprived? Is RSS ready to accept scientific temper and rationality? Is RSS ready to give up its inherent character of subjugation domination and violence?" he asked.
Congress also wanted RSS to answer if "merely inviting the former President to an event will give it the much elusive social and political sanctity".
--IANS sid/ps/vsc
The party also said Mukherjee reminded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his Rajdharma and that "Indian nationalism is constitutional patriotism".
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also said in a statement that Mukherjee s visit to RSS headquarters had caused wide ranging discussion comment concern and even consternation amongst a large section of Indians who have an innate belief in foundational values of democracy pluralism and diversity.
His statement came soon after Mukherjee had delivered his nearly 30-minute address at the RSS headquarters during its third year annual training camp. Earlier several Congress leaders including Mukherjee s daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee Ahmed Patel and Anand Sharma had slammed him for attending a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh event in Nagpur.
"Pranab Mukherjee has shown the mirror of truth to the RSS at RSS headquarters in Nagpur by reminding them of India s pluralism tolerance secularism and inclusiveness as an article of faith and soul of the country " said Surjewala.
"He particularly highlighted the imperative need of freeing the public discourse from all forms of violence - physical and verbal besides putting compassion harmony and non-violence as the centre stage of our public life " he added.
Surjewala said Mukherjee also reminded the Modi government of following ‘Rajdharma founded upon our diversity non-violence multiculturalism and assimilation of ideas particularly that ‘happiness of people is the happiness of ruler their welfare is his welfare .
"Indicating the unchecked exercise of authority and attack on institutions in garb of a self-professed definition of pseudo nationalism he reminded the RSS as also the prime minister that Indian nationalism is constitutional patriotism " he added.
Noting that as Indians and as Congressmen they encourage and believe in the democratic dialogue and recognise the tight and sanctity of dialogue across different thought processes Surjewala asked: "Simple issue to understand however is - dialogue is possible in democratic order with an open mind and willingness to change accept and adapt to the other person s point of view "
"Is RSS ready to listen? Is RSS ready to change? Is RSS ready to admit its mistakes - both of thought and action? Is RSS ready to adapt to India s foundational values of pluralism tolerance non-violence secularism and diversity?
"Is RSS ready to give up its prejudice vis-a-vis women dalits backwards minorities and the deprived? Is RSS ready to accept scientific temper and rationality? Is RSS ready to give up its inherent character of subjugation domination and violence?" he asked.
Congress also wanted RSS to answer if "merely inviting the former President to an event will give it the much elusive social and political sanctity".
--IANS sid/ps/vsc
