Author: Our Special Correspondent
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: October 1, 2001
Introduction: 'Singh should know
difference between RSS and Simi'
The state government's decision
to initiate an inquiry into the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena and the Bajrang Dal in Maharashtra
has failed to alarm the organisations concerned.
According to Bharatiya Janata Party
and Opposition leader in the Legislative Council Nitin Gadkari, "The statement
has been made by minister of state for home Kripa Shankar Singh. It is
an immature statement and such an announcement should be made either by
the chief minister or the deputy chief minister."
Mr Singh reportedly told reporters
in Faizabad on Saturday evening that a report would be sent to the Centre
recommending a ban on these organisations after an inquiry. A close watch
was being kept on the organisations which were suspected to be involved
in disturbing communal harmony in the state, he said.
Reacting to the statement, Shiv
Sena and Opposition leader in the Legislative Assembly Narayan Rane said
such a statement should have been made by the chief minister or the deputy
chief minister and not a mere minister of state. "Mr Singh should understand
his limits and accordingly make statements. There is no need to give any
importance to his statement," Mr Rane said.
"It is important for Mr Singh to
understand the difference between the Shiv Sena, RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal
and groups such as the Students' Islamic Organisation of India, Lashkar-E-Toiba
and the Inter-Services Intelligence before equating them. The former are
nationalist, while the latter indulge in anti-national activities," Mr
Rane added.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader in
Maharashtra Ashok Chowghule said that Mr Singh had already indicted the
organisations by saying the state would recommend a ban on the RSS, VHP
and others. "He has already made up his mind to ban these organisations
and therefore, there is no need to hold an inquiry and waste public money.
We challenge him to make public the findings of the inquiry," Mr Chowghule
said.
Mr Gadkari said that when home minister
Chhagan Bhujbal had demanded a ban on Simi he had provided evidence for
the same. The Centre had banned the organisation only after it found its
links with Osama bin Laden and other extremist groups.
"In the past too, the Congress had
imposed a ban on the VHP and the RSS, but it did not find an iota of evidence
against them. There may be a difference of opinion on their ideology and
principles, but there is no doubt that they are nationalist," he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhujbal had on Saturday, said that the state government was
currently watching the activities of the Bajrang Dal.
