I think RSS should be banned: Congress chief recalls Sardar Patel's 1948 letter

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that the Hindu outfit should be banned for creating "law and order problems" in the country.

Speaking on the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -- which also coincides with the 41st death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi -- Kharge said both the Iron Man and the Iron Lady worked for India's unity and integrity.

"It is my personal opinion, it should be done as most of the issues and law and order problems are arising in the country because of the BJP-RSS," Kharge said.

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for invoking Sardar Patel, Kharge cited Patel's own words on the RSS in the aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. He referred to Patel's 1948 letter to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, in which the then Home Minister had noted reports from his ministry flagging "suspicious activities" of the Sangh.

Kharge reminded that Patel had banned the RSS that year, calling it a step taken in the interest of the nation's secular fabric.

He also criticised the Modi government for "distorting history" by removing references to Gandhi, Godse, the RSS, and the 2002 riots from NCERT textbooks. "Sardar Patel banned the RSS in the interest of the nation and secularism. Today, they are rewriting history to suit themselves," Kharge said.

The Congress chief's comments came hours after PM Modi paid tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, crediting him for unifying India.

- Ends