Accuses them of a long-standing intolerance towards Sangh, Hinduism

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday hit out at intellectuals returning awards and honours in protest against “growing intolerance,” accusing them of a long-standing “intolerance towards the Sangh and Hinduism.” RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya told The Hindu that Sangh joint-general secretary Dattatreya Hosbale had raised the issue in a statement on Day-1 of the ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meet in Ranchi.

This is the Sangh’s second-highest decision-making body, which discusses the spread of the organisation, apart from firming up the RSS’ line on many issues of importance.

“He said that these are people of a particular ideology who have always been biased and intolerant towards the Sangh and Hinduism. For years, we have tolerated their intolerance and now they are talking about tolerance. Despite their bias, people are accepting us in larger numbers and this has increased their frustration,” Mr. Vaidya said.

Mr. Vaidya added that the number of RSS Shakhas has grown to 52,000 at present, up from 44,000 at the same time last year.

The Sangh’s position on those returning awards is identical to that of the Sangh’s political arm, the BJP, which has accused writers, filmmakers and scientists of inconsistency and bias.

Earlier, talking to reporters, Mr. Hosbale wondered why these persons weren’t questioning the governments of the States where the killings had happened.

This was precisely the line taken by the Union Ministers and top BJP leaders in past weeks.

A Sangh leader said: “Where were these people when Hindus were killed in Kashmir and Ram Sevaks in Godhra? They can’t claim to be contractors of tolerance. They are frustrated as their game is over.”

This apart, the RSS condemned the desecrations of the Guru Granth Saheb in Punjab and called upon the Punjab and Central governments to investigate the matter and “expose” the conspirators.

“The insulting act of desecration of the sacred Shri Guru Granth Sahib which is the centre of veneration and devotion of the entire Bharatiya samaj has shocked all the countrymen.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condemns this sacrilegious act in the strongest terms,” RSS general secretary (Sarkaryavaha) Suresh (Bhaiyyaji) Joshi said.

“These incidents clearly point to a pre-planned conspiracy of vested interests and anti-national elements to disturb the harmonious atmosphere of Punjab.”