Congress, AAP criticise RSS march at JNU in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: A political controversy has erupted a day after a march by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Jawaharlal Nehru University on the occasion of its Vijayadashami festival.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the event was held on Saturday. RSS workers took part wearing their distinctive uniform, known as the “ganvesh”, and marched on the university campus.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party criticised the march. Leaders of both parties voiced concern over the RSS’s activities on the campus and their possible effect on the academic environment.

Congress leader’s stance

Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao said the RSS’s presence at JNU could create tension and could also disrupt the normal work of the institution. He also expressed fears about the possible effect on students and the campus environment.

He said a new system was being adopted to counter the BJP. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had been present there earlier, and now the RSS had also entered the field. He said this was truly a very dangerous situation and would create a law and order problem.

He said the RSS was a fundamentalist organisation. It wanted only Hindus, and did not want Muslims, Christians and other communities. He said this would now begin at JNU, which would automatically spoil the academic environment, and chaos could break out among students at any time.

Sanjay Singh’s reaction

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh also criticised the march. He said such activities took place when the government gave protection and support to the organisers.

Speaking to the media, he said: “Now see, when the government provides protection, all kinds of activities take place. They are also holding their programme. They have the protection of the police and the government everywhere.”