Unfazed by the controversy surrounding his acceptance of an RSS invite, former President Pranab Mukherjee said he would respond to the requests urging to reconsider his decision in his address at the organisation’s Nagpur headquarters.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee – whose decision to attend a function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as its chief guest has made a section of the Congress uncomfortable – has given an enigmatic response on the matter. “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,” Mr Mukherjee was quoted as saying.
The RSS has invited Mukherjee as the chief guest at the concluding function of Sangh Shiksha Varg, an annual training camp, meant for the third year recruits in the organisation. Mukherjee will address the workers on June 7 in Nagpur.
The 82-year-old former President has been repeatedly asked to reconsider his decision by various leaders of the Congress, his party for five decades till he became the president in 2012. Many have expressed concern at the optics of the matter, pointing to what they call the divisive nature of the RSS, ideological mentor of the ruling BJP.
While the Congress questioned Mukherjee’s acceptance, the BJP and RSS welcomed the move. “Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s acceptance to attend RSS event in Nagpur sends a message to the country that on vital issues there should be dialogue and adversaries are not enemies. Questions raised on RSS-Hindutva is being answered by his acceptance of the invitation,” RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha said.
During his term in office, Mr Mukherjee has repeatedly spoken his mind without stepping outside the constitutional boundaries of his post. He has made his displeasure clear with the rising instances of violence and mob frenzy and weighed in the debates on free speech, nationalism and intolerance. He has also expressed his personal admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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