Saffron fountainhead RSS is seeing red over the indiscriminate induction of outsiders in the BJP, particularly that of JD-U Rajya Sabha member and once a staunch Sangh Parivar critic Sabir Ali, who joined the BJP on Friday. In a turn of events — with a strong RSS imprint — Ali's membership was cancelled on Saturday.
A senior RSS pracharak who preferred anonymity said here that the BJP should not compromise on terrorism and corruption while giving entry to an individual into the party, especially at a time when it is getting an "overwhelming support" from all over the country for the ensuing general elections.
However, the senior RSS leader did not endorse BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's comments that Ali has links with Indian Mujahideen terrorist Yasin Bhatkal.
"It has to be verified by the BJP," he said and pointed out that Ali was very vocal against the Sangh Parivar and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
"Hope the BJP has realised its mistake and now finally they have cancelled his (Ali's) membership," he said.
However, the senior RSS swayamsevak and its former spokesperson, MG Vaidya, said that Ali's entry and subsequent his removal from the party has nothing to do with the RSS.
"It was purely an issue concerned with the BJP and it took a decision that suits it accordingly," he said.
His son and RSS national prachar pramukh Manmohan Vaidya, however, admitted that "the RSS conveyed its feeling concerning Ali's entry to the party."
{{/usCountry}}His son and RSS national prachar pramukh Manmohan Vaidya, however, admitted that "the RSS conveyed its feeling concerning Ali's entry to the party."
{{/usCountry}}On the other hand, Dilip Deodhar, who has been closely observing the Sangh Parivar for the last four decades and has authored many RSS books, described the removal of Ali from BJP as unfortunate.
"RSS leaders right from Dr Hedgewar, Guruji Golwalkar, Balasaheb Deoras to present chief Mohan Bhagwat are not sectarians and they had and have inclination to involve everyone in its Hindu Rashtra concept," he said.
According to Deodhar, if any Maoist tries to join the BJP, these leaders would have no objection as they believe in Indian mythology where a dacoit, Valmiki, reformed as sadhu.
"The RSS does not believe in any form of untouchability and hence a larger section of RSS would not object Ali's entry to BJP and if he remains in the BJP," he said.
People who opposed Ali's entry in the BJP are those swayamsevaks who believe in Veer Savarkar's Hindutva that denounces outsiders (those with no origins in India).
The controversy surrounding his entry in BJP and the growing clamour in the party ranks, Ali even urged the Bihar BJP unit to put his membership on hold.
He even offered to quit politics forever if it was proved that he has any connection with Bhatkal as alleged by Naqvi.
However, his request was not honoured by BJP and on Saturday evening, BJP cancelled his membership.