Prashant Bhushan spoke language of separatists: RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday lashed out at senior lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan for his remarks supporting a plebiscite in Kashmir.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday lashed out at senior lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan for his remarks supporting a plebiscite in Kashmir.

HT Image

Addressing journalists on the last day of the Sangh’s three-day Karyakari Mandal meet at Gorakhpur, RSS general secretary Suresh (Bhaiyyaji) Joshi said, “This is the language of separatists. Under no circumstances can Kashmir be separated from our country.”

The criticism, a first against an Anna aide from the Sangh, came in the wake of dissensions within the Team Anna on the issue. Hazare himself had criticised Bhushan for his remark.

A day after his statement giving sole credit to Anna for the success of anti-graft campaign, Joshi said, “Swayamsevaks participated in the movement as common people. It has been the Sangh’s tradition that it does take credit for any work done in the interests of the country.”

Recently, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that the Sangh had actively taken part in the movement sparked a row, with the Congress seeing it as proof that the Sangh was behind the campaign and Anna dubbing the outfit’s claim as “defaming”.

“We have no reservations with Annaji,” Joshi said. A day ago, the RSS leader had said he was “pained” that Anna had been influenced by a “conspiracy”.

"It is Anna who has called the support from RSS a conspiracy. He should be asked why he said so," Joshi said adding though no senior functionary of the RSS had met Hazare before his fast at Ramlila ground, the Sangh had expressed its support through a letter.