Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 29: Congress spokesperson M G Hegde has raised questions on why the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, registered in 70 countries including Canada, the UK and Australia, has not sought registration in India.
Speaking at a press conference at the Congress district office on Wednesday, Hegde alleged that the RSS, despite claiming patriotism, had no role in India’s freedom struggle. He said that during British rule in 1940, organisations were prohibited from using paramilitary uniforms or conducting military training, and needed government permission for such activities.
Government officials were also barred from participating in RSS. The then RSS chief M S Golwalkar had written that the organisation would fully comply with British government orders, he said.
Hegde presented a 1942 CID report from the Bombay government showing RSS activities across 19 districts. The report stated that while India was embroiled in the Quit India Movement, Subhas Chandra Bose’s campaigns, and debates over Partition, RSS conducted its programmes independently, fully adhering to British laws, as recorded in a 90-page secret file.
He questioned why an organisation that obeyed British regulations now refuses to comply with Indian laws while continuing legal activities abroad. He also asked if civil society approval is required for RSS programmes at post offices, airports, and other government locations, noting that social issues like untouchability and poverty did not hinder RSS activities during British rule.
Responding to journalists, Hegde said that two government officials involved in RSS activities have been suspended and that the party would monitor government employees posting in support of RSS on social media.
The press conference was attended by State Women’s Secretary Manjula Nayak, Dakshina Kannada District Women Congress president Appi, District Congress secretary Shashikala Padmanabha, Backward Class vice-president Uday Achar, Prakash Salyan, Shashikala, Sunil Bajilkere, Sajith Shetty, Ravi Poojary and Mithun Kumar.