File picture: Congress president Rahul Gandhi | Photo Credit: PTI

New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Monday hit out at Rahul Gandhi for comparing the RSS to Islamist group Muslim Brotherhood, saying the Congress president cannot understand the Sangh as he does not know India. While speaking at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London last week, Rahul Gandhi had likened the RSS to the Muslim Brotherhood.

In response to Gandhi’s charges, RSS prachar pramukh (publicity in-charge) Arun Kumar said the Congress chief did not know about the "concept of Muslim Brotherhood". He added that since Gandhi is making such statements because he does not understand the gravity of the situation.

"The entire world today is facing the threat of Islamic fundamentalism. He is unaware... he does not understand the gravity of the situation that's why he is making such statements.”

Gandhi is not aware of India and its cultural ethos of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family), claimed the RSS leader, adding one who doesn't understand India cannot understand the Sangh.

Meanwhile, sources have told Times Now that the RSS may extend an invitation to Congress president Rahul Gandhi to attend a lecture series by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat in September.

The RSS wants to invite people belonging to different ideologies for the event, scheduled to take place from September 17 to September 19 at Vigyan Bhavan.

"Bhagwatji will address and interact with select audience comprising prominent citizens on 'Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective' in a three-day lecture series," Kumar told reporters.

When asked if Gandhi will also be invited, Kumar said: "It is our prerogative to choose who to invite or not. Leave this to us... But people from all walks of life, including from different political outfits, ideologies and religions, will be invited.”