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RSS campaign sparks row
http://www.tribuneindia.com/20001108/punjab.htm#7 FEROZEPORE, Nov 27 - The ongoing national awareness campaign, organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) activists, has sparked a fresh controversy as several organisations have criticised it as an attempt to "distort" the history. Various political leaders have charged the RSS of twisting the history to project itself as a nationalist and secular party. However, the RSS has stirred a controversy by claiming to have participated in the freedom struggle. Through leaflets being circulated in public, the RSS also claims that prominent national heroes like Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose had links with the organisation. Besides, the RSS claims to have guarded the Golden Temple Complex from a possible Muslim attack at the time of partition. Their attempt to bracket veteran Akali leader, late Master Tara Singh, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has also evoked criticism. While the CPI has claimed that the RSS had no role in freedom struggle, the Institute of Sikh Studies has accused the RSS of trying to "saffronise" the history. A member of CPI's Punjab council, Mr Randhir Gill, said despite denials by the RSS, its alleged hidden agenda on rewriting the history was apparent. He pointed out that Bhagat Singh, being a socialist, could never have any association with a right-wing organisation. Like-wise, Subhash Chandra Bose had founded the All-India Forward Block, a constituent of the Left front in West Bengal. He said these heroes can not be bracketted with the RSS. |