Published On : Mon, Jun 4th, 2018

Activists Want RSS Iftar Party Scrapped, Say Venue Cannot be Used For Public Functions

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Mumbai: Two Mumbai-based activists have sought cancellation of an Iftar party organised by the Muslim wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the Sahyadri guest house, saying “no public or religious functions are allowed inside the venue. It is meant for official use only”, reported ANI on Monday. Muslim organisations have also reportedly refused to attend Iftar party organised by Muslim Rashtriya, the Muslim wing of the RSS, today. The RSS had sent invitations to Muslim organisations but they would reportedly be boycotting the event.

The RSS has recently been in the news for inviting former President Pranab Mukherjee as the chief guest at the concluding function of “Tritiya Varsh Varg”, sparking a controversy, with Congress leaders expressing displeasure over his acceptance, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh seeing nothing wrong in it. Amid voices of protest, the former president said, “Whatever I have to say, I will say in Nagpur. I have received several letters, requests and phone calls, but I haven’t responded to anyone yet.”

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also wrote to Mukherjee requesting him not to attend the RSS event. Earlier, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram had urged him to take the opportunity to tell the RSS what is wrong with their ideology. “Now that he has accepted the invitation, there is no point in debating why he accepted it. “The more important thing to say is, Sir you have accepted the invitation, please go there and tell them what is wrong with their ideology,” the former Union Minister had said.

Expressing surprise over former President Pranab Mukherjee’s decision to attend an RSS event, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Chowdhury had said he was unable to relate the visit with Mukherjee’s previous comments against the Sangh Parivar and other Hindutva forces.