Congress Hails Pranab Mukherjee For Showing ‘Mirror of Truth’ to RSS, Asks if Sangh, BJP Will Listen

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Congress asked if RSS and BJP will commit to change "its character, orientation, thought process and path and accept the advice of their guest".

New Delhi, June 7: The Congress on Thursday hailed former President Pranab Mukherjee for his speech at the RSS event in Nagpur saying that it showed the ‘Mirror of Truth’ to the RSS by reminding them “pluralism, tolerance, secularism and inclusiveness”. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Congress asked if RSS and BJP will commit to change “its character, orientation, thought process and path and accept the advice of their guest”.

“Shri Pranab Mukherjee has reminded the RSS of the history of India. He taught the RSS that India’s beauty lies in its tolerance for difference ideas, religions and languages. Is RSS ready to listen?” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked.

Speaking at a press conference after the former President’s speech, Surjewala said, “He particularly highlighted the imperative need of freeing the public discourse from all forms of violence- physical and verbal, besides putting compassion, harmony and non-violence as the centre stage of our public life.”

Referring to Pranab Mukherjee’s statement that India may be the world’s fastest-growing economy but haven’t appeared in the World Happiness Index, Congress said that the former President reminded the Modi government of following the “Rajdharma” and that “happiness of the people is the happiness of ruler, their welfare is his welfare”.

“Indicating the unchecked exercise of authority and attack on institutions in garb of a self-professed definition of ‘Pseudo Nationalism’, he reminded the RSS as also the Prime Minister that, Indian Nationalism is Constitutional patriotism,” Congress, in its statement, said. Congress, however, demanded answers asking if RSS is ready to listen considering “dialogue is possible in democratic order, with an open mind and willingness to change, accept and adapt to the other person’s point of view”.

“Is RSS ready to ‘listen’? Is RSS ready to ‘change’? Is RSS ready to ‘admit’ its mistakes – both of ‘thought and action’? Is RSS ready to ‘adapt’ to India’s foundational values of pluralism, tolerance, non-violence, secularism and diversity? Is RSS ready to give up its prejudice vis-a-vis ‘women, dalits, backwards, minorities and the deprived’? Is RSS ready to accept ‘scientific temper’ and ‘rationality’? Is RSS ready to give up its inherent character of ‘subjugation, domination and violence’?” the Congress asked.

The party also asked if RSS believe that by merely inviting the former President to an event will give it the much elusive social and political sanctity and if the Sangh understands that India’s foundational value is sacrifice not pleasure; generosity not frenzy; non-violence not extremism.” It also asked if RSS would follow all that was advocated by Pranab Mukherjee.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday attended the concluding ceremony of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s “Tritiya Varsh Sangh Shiksha Varg” in Nagpur and spoke about nation, nationality and patriotism. “Our national identity has emerged after a long drawn process of confluence and assimilation, the multiple cultures and faiths make us special and tolerant,” he said.