AMN / NEW DELHI
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Thursday attacked the RSS saying “Their basic mindset is against schedule caste, Muslims and the minorities and this is the reason why the BJP, which has originated from them, has adopted policies that are tarnishing democracy of the country”.
Terming the three-day RSS conclave as politically “motivated” so as to divert attention from the raging problems at election time, Mayawati said the RSS too was concerned over the vast anger among people over the “pro-captalist and anti-poor policies” of the BJP governments at the Centre and states.
In a statement issued by her party, the four-time Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the three-day RSS programme in Delhi reflected the “tension” in the top echelons of BJP’s mentor organization as the ruling party’s popularity has dipped.
“The RSS has put everything at stake for the BJP and now that the discontent against the Modi government at the Centre is at its peak, the RSS is also jittery,” she said.
The BSP supremo said she disagreed with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat about Muslims’ “participation” in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and its linkage with communal harmony. “The relations between Muslims and Hindus cannot improve as long as the narrow-minded ‘sanghi’ approach continues,” she said.
The basic thought process of the RSS was against freedom of expression and freedom to practise one’s religion, Mayawati said, adding the people by now have understood the diversionary tactics of saffron parties and affiliates.
She also termed the ordinance making triple talaaq a criminal offence a politically inspired move. “If the BJP was indeed serious about the women’s rights among Muslims, they would not have hastily brought the ordinance but would have allowed discussions on the matter and would not have skirted the demand of the opposition parties to send the matter to a parliamentary committee,” she said.