BJP jumps to RSS defence

The Bharatiya Janata Party today alleged that the Congress is resorting to "diversionary tactics" to get away from the price rise issue by launching a "baseless campaign" against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Feeling cornered by allegations of the involvement of important RSS functionaries in terror activities, the BJP on Thursday sprang to the Sangh's defence, accusing the Congress of indulging in a witch-hunt against it.

"It seems that after the success of the nationwide strike against inflation and the revival of Opposition unity, the Congress got worried about its future," said BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javdekar.

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"So, it is indulging in selective, malicious and baseless campaign against the RSS."

Javdekar claimed the RSS was the largest nationalist force in the country and even those who disagreed with it could not doubt its "nationalism".

Recently, the names of senior RSS functionaries like Ashok Varshney, Ashok Beri and Indresh Kumar have surfaced in reports, close on the heels of allegations against Sangh functionary Devender Gupta. CBI director Ashwani Kumar has, however, refuted reports that the agency questioned any RSS functionaries.

Ironically, there were reports last year that fringe Hindu outfits had planned to kill Indresh Kumar for floating a Muslim front of the RSS, dubbing him as a Pakistani agent.

Javdekar made specific mention of reported remarks of Congress leader Digvijay Singh against the RSS.

RSS sources said that it was at the Sangh's behest that the BJP came out openly in its support.

This is a nuanced departure from the BJP and RSS's position that they did not see terror through the prism of communities, and that they would allow law to take its own course, and not defend any terrorist.