New Delhi: Days after Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the Sangh, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday said that it does not consider anyone as their opponent and is guided by the national interest. The statement was made by a senior RSS figure during a press briefing on Sangh’s three-day all India coordination meeting which began on Friday at Raghavendra Math.
On being asked about the frequent criticism by the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, RSS’ Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Arun Kumar said, “Sangh does not treat anyone as its opponent. It works for organising the whole society in the national interest.”
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Monday 31March 2025
The RSS had earlier slammed Rahul for likening the RSS to Muslim Brotherhood saying the Congress chief cannot understand the saffron outfit as he does not know India. “The entire world is facing the threat of Islamic fundamentalism. He is unaware and doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation that’s why he is making such statements,” Kumar had said.
At an event organised by Indian Journalists’ Association, the Congress President had earlier compared the RSS with the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist organisation, and said both were banned after the assassination of the top leaders of India and Egypt — Mahatma Gandhi and Anwar Sadat, respectively.
Before this comparison was made, Gandhi had on Friday alleged that the outfit is trying to “change” the nature of India and “capture” its institutions. “The RSS is trying to change the nature of India. Other parties haven’t tried to capture India’s institutions. The RSS’ idea is similar to the idea of Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world,” he had said.
All India Coordination Meeting
A three-day Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak (all India coordination meeting) of the RSS began on Friday at the Raghavendra Math in Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh. Raghavendra Math head Swami Subudendra Teertha delivered the inaugural address at the meet, which saw the attendance of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP president Amit Shah and leaders of the Sangh organisations.
Around 200 workers participating in the meeting would share their experiences, views and achievements.
The RSS has given indications that it may invite leaders from across the political spectrum including Rahul Gandhi and Sitaram Yechury to attend the three-day lecture series of Bhagwat. However, the Congress party had on Monday said that it has not received any invite for its president Rahul Gandhi to attend an RSS event. “I do not answer hypothetical, speculative questions… This is purely imaginary at the moment,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
