KOCHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is posing major threat to the unity and integrity of the country, senior Congress leader A.K. Antony told reporters here on Saturday.
Recalling the roles played by Sardar Vallabhai Patel and Indira Gandhi in nurturing the unity and integrity of the country Mr Antony said the present dispensation at the Centre was damaging the basic fabric of such a tradition.
Reiterating his earlier statement that north Indian states became unsafe to live, the former defence minister said, “respect for diversity is the bedrock of unity of the country”. “RSS and other Sangh outfits are against the very concept of diversity,” he said.
Mr Antony also lashed out at the government for the raid conducted by Delhi police on Kerala House. “The raid is only the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
The situation is getting bad to worse, he said citing the demand of a Hindu outfit to ban on all slaughterhouses as yet another instance of intolerance under the BJP regime.
“For a change Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started talking about the diversity of Indian culture but action should match words,” he said. “Peo-ple are waiting for concrete measures from Mr Modi. Mere words will not be enough.”
Mr Antony also attacked the Modi regime for its silence on the role of Jawaharlal Nehru in the non-aligned movement during the India-Africa Summit held in Delhi few days ago.
“Mr. Modi was put to shame when many African leaders including the South African president openly praised the role of Mr Nehru and Mrs Gandhi,” he said. “The government should not be a party to the obliteration of history.”
