'RSS Can Prepare An Army Within 3 Days', Mohan Bhagwat's Statement Sends Twitter Into a Frenzy

Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the organisation has the ability to prepare an "army" to fight for the country within three days, if such a situation arises.

The RSS chief said this while addressing the workers at Zila school ground on the last day of his six-day visit of Muzaffarpur.

"Sangh will prepare military personnel within three days which the Army would do in 6-7 months. This is our capability. Swayamsewak will be ready to take on the front if the country faces such a situation and Constitution permits to do so," Bhagwat said.

Soon, expressing their displeasure over the statement, people came out in full force on the microblogging site Twitter. Demanding an apology from RSS, Twitterati tweeted with #ApologiseRSS hashtag.

RSS army on the way to Dhoklam. Mohan Bhagwat has dispatched another unit to Pakistan. #ApologiseRSS pic.twitter.com/TEI0tnQoIu

— Zia Nomani (@NomaniZia) February 12, 2018

The RSS has been known for hate mongering,creating chaos & spreading rumours. The extremist organisation has only disrupted normal life by deploying anti-social elements. Shri Mohan Bhagwat seems to have lost the plot & his comments are an insult to the Indian Army.#ApologiseRSS

— NSUI (@nsui) February 12, 2018

"Army needs months to prepare for battle but RSS needs only a few days: Mohan Bhagwat"

Running away from struggle takes much lesser time than to prepare for a battle and don't ask about apology letters or mercy petitions, those are pre-printed ready, RSS just signs & submits.

— Arun Shourie •ғᴀɴ• (@FeignShourie) February 11, 2018

Is #MohanBhagwat suggesting that the Indian army is failing to defend India and RSS needs to step in? Social media hatriots, you may soon be torn away from Twitter and transported to the border

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) February 12, 2018

Fantastic. Now, why didn’t we think of this before? Let’s just disband the Indian Army. And the Indian Navy. And the Indian Air Force. @nsitharaman what an idea, Ma’am. Saves us billions of dollars and puts national security in “much better” hands 😌https://t.co/1Sdqo2silM

— Major Gaurav Arya (@majorgauravarya) February 12, 2018

Can't expect any better from the RSS. They are the same guys who colluded with the British during freedom struggle and insulted our flag for 52 years. #ApologiseRSS

— Hasiba (@HasibaAmin) February 12, 2018

RSS is a blot on India, they have no respect for Indian Flag & now they have disrespected the Indian Army, it is in their DNA to disrespect the Nation. #ApologiseRSS

— Samrat Dhingra (@SamraatD) February 12, 2018

BJP-RSS have been consistently underming our institutions. Indian Army, which works hard to protect the country & ensure safety of the people, is their latest target. #ApologiseRSS https://t.co/XoO66W4KV3

— Nagaland Congress (@INCNagaland) February 12, 2018

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "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."

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweets on RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's speech that said the organisation has the ability to prepare an "army" to fight for the country within three days pic.twitter.com/t2dEBPfvUH

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 12, 2018

BJP leaders were quick to jump to the right-wing organisational head's defence. Civil Aviation MoS Jayant Sinha said it was a case of misconstrued statement. "Opposition is making unnecessary noise. We are fully with our Army," he said.

MoS Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju also tweeted, "Indian Army is our pride. In emergency situation (not Congress emergency) every Indian must volunteer to stand with Defence Forces. Bhagwat ji only said it takes 6-7 months for a person to be a trained soldier & if Constitution permits RSS cadres has the ability to contribute."

Indian Army is our pride. In emergency situation(not congress emergency) every Indian must volunteer to stand with Defence Forces. Bhagwat ji only said it takes 6-7 months for a person to be a trained soldier & if Constitution permits RSS cadres has the ability to contribute.

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 12, 2018

Following the outrage, the organisation has released a press statement terming misrepresentation of comments.

“Mohan Bhagwat’s speech in Muzzafpur (Bihar) is being represented. Bhagwat ji had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, Indian Army would take six months to prepare the society whereas Sangh Swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as Swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly. This was no way a comparison between the Indian Army and the Sangh Swayamsevaks but it was a comparison between general society and Swayamsevaks. Both are to be trained by the Indian Army only.”

Dr Manmohan Vaidya clarifies on @RSSorg Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks on the Army and preparedness. @the_hindu pic.twitter.com/V7nIrpCooE

— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) February 12, 2018

Bhagwat's comment came while he was addressing workers at Zila school ground on the last day of his six-day visit of Muzaffarpur.

(With PTI inputs)