RSS Faces Fresh Controversy

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is once again facing fresh criticism in India. Former Maharashtra inspector general of police S.M. Mushrif on Thursday described the group as the country’s top terrorist organisation, arguing that RSS activists have been indicted in at least 13 terror cases across India, New Indian Express reported.

"RSS activists have been charge-sheeted in at least 13 cases of terror acts in which RDX has been used. If organisations like Bajrang Dal are taken into the account, then the number of such cases goes up to 17," Mushrif said at an event.

He referred to the 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing in Hyderabad, the 2006 and 2008 Malegaon blasts in Maharashtra and the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings among others and added, "The RSS is India's number one terrorist organisation, there is no doubt on this”. However, he emphasized that "saffron terror" had no bearing on which party was in power.

"The RSS as a terror organisation has nothing to do with political power. It is immaterial which party is in power. It is the system that is working, it's the Brahminical system. And when I say Brahminical, it doesn't mean the Brahmin, it's the mentality, the attitude to dominate and oppress," he said.

Recently, Aamir Khan's 'intolerance' remark has fuelled a new controversy in India. Mushrif, however, did not agree with the view that intolerance was rising in recent times.

"Intolerance has been going on for a long time. There have been many severe bigger incidents earlier, I don't understand why it is being highlighted now," he asked.

An RSS functionary today responded on the intolerance issue and said "intellectual terrorism" is being spread in the country in the name of intolerance as part of a conspiracy, Economic Times reported.

"People are being instigated for aggressive opposition in the name of intolerance to stall development of the country. It is a conspiracy against the country and it should be stopped," RSS leader J Nand Kumar told reporters.