NEW DELHI: Following the conclusion of
Pranab Mukherjee's address at an RSS event, Congress today hit back at the right-wing organization saying that the former President has shown a mirror to RSS by reminding them of India’s 'pluralism', 'tolerance', 'secularism' and 'inclusiveness' as an article of faith and soul of the country.
"Shri Mukherjee also reminded the present Modi Government of following ‘Rajdharma’, founded upon our diversity, non-violence, multiculturalism and assimilation of ideas," Congress leader Randeep S Srujewala said in a press conference shortly after Mukherjee's address.
However, secretary general of CPM,
Sitaram Yechury, was not too impressed with the absence of Mahatma Gandhi and his assassination in the former President's speech.
"In the "history capsule" delivered by Pranab Mukherjee at the RSS headquarters, the absence of Mahatma Gandhi and his assassination speaks volumes.”
“He would have done well to remind the RSS of its own history - banned thrice by Congress governments, the first time by Sardar Patel, following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. “RSS men expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhiji’s death”, Patel wrote to Golwalkar," he tweeted.
Several Congress leaders also objected to the absence of national flag and national anthem at the event.
"Why was the national anthem not played despite the fact that India’s former President #PranabMukherjee was present? No national flag, either? #PranabAtRSSEvent," Congress leader Sanjay Jha tweeted.
Similar concerns were raised by Congress' national media coordinator, Radhika Khera.
"'Nationalists' who did NOT sing the National Anthem. ’Nationalists' who did NOT hoist the Indian Tri Colour today. The very same 'Nationalists' who beat up even handicapped for not standing in movie theatres for the National Anthem," she wrote in a tweet.
Calling him an astute politician, BJP leader and grand-nephew CK Bose accused Mukherjee of “destroying” and “distorting” facts on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
“Mr.Pranab Mukherjee is an astute politician, but his loyalty has always been with Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. He was instrumental in destroying and distorting facts on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose,” he said.
