RSS on Saturday made a sensational statement giving saffron flag the status of the national flag.

Its General Secretary Bhaiyaji Joshi claimed that there was nothing wrong in honouring the saffron flag as the national flag because tricolour was no different from the saffron flag.

According to a NewsX report, the RSS leader even added that the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ did not evoke the same patriotic sentiments as ‘Vande Mataram’.

His controversial statements have evoked sharp reactions from political parties, who have been quick to slam the BJP’s ideological mentor saying this was tantamount to insulting national flag.

Opposition parties have demanded action against Joshi under various rules of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for insulting both the national flag the national anthem.

The JDU (Janta Dal United), according to the English news channel, said that there was no difference between separatists in Kashmir and the RSS adding that the separatists in Kashmir didn’t respect the tricolour and ‘in a way Bhaiyaji Joshi’s statement is no less than insulting the national flag.’