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New Delhi: Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s recent remarks on the RSS have sparked widespread criticism across the country’s political spectrum. Referring to the controversy, Singh stated that there is nothing to learn from “Godse supporters” and clarified his position by saying that while every organisation needs strengthening, he strongly opposes the RSS’s ideology.
The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister explained that he was merely acknowledging the organisational strength of the RSS and BJP but does not endorse their ideology. He added that he has been associated with the Congress for the past 50 years and will always stand by the party, fighting what he described as communal forces throughout his life. Singh reiterated that he has opposed, and will continue to oppose, the RSS and its ideology.
Singh’s remarks appeared to expose internal differences within the Congress, with some leaders openly criticising his comments while others attempted to prevent the issue from escalating. Congress leader Pawan Khera also linked Nathuram Godse to the RSS, saying, “There’s nothing to learn from the RSS. What can an organisation associated with Godse teach an organisation founded by Gandhi?”
Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor sought to defend Digvijay Singh, stressing the importance of discipline within the party and noting that the Congress, with its long history, has much to learn from its own past.
“We have a history of 140 years, and we can learn a lot from it. We can learn from ourselves too. Discipline is very important in any party,” Tharoor said. The author-politician added that he himself has much to learn from the Congress. “There should be discipline in our organisation. Digvijay Singh can speak for himself,” he added.
The controversy was triggered by Digvijay Singh’s unpremeditated remarks about the RSS. Referring to a 1995 photograph featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then BJP president L.K. Advani, Singh made an off-the-cuff comment suggesting that the Congress could learn from how the RSS and BJP allow grassroots workers to rise to top positions.
The remarks quickly sparked a storm on social media, drawing sharp reactions from both the BJP and the RSS, and highlighting what the BJP claimed was “dissent” within the Congress.
