RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat visit to Northeast India leaves many minority leaders uncomfortable

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The visit of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to the northeast of India has created quite a flutter amongst many groups who are now reading into comments made by him during his visit to Itanagar recently.

In his speech he stated that unlike many other organisations who get government funding and even overseas funding the RSS agenda was to integrate the nation and not divide it under the name of religious activity.

Many critics of RSS have said that this was aimed at Christian and Muslim Bodies which the RSS has often accused of getting foreign funds to spread conversion in Northeast.

Mohan Bhagawat stated "We, the RSS, don't ask for funds from the government but rather we go back to the society and engage in social service with funds generated by means of voluntary donations to boost the nation's strength."

Bhagawat also stated that RSS stood for patriotism and said that RSS was against conversion which is happening rampantly in the Northeast .

The critics have however questioned how a state government official could be present for a non governmental programme and how the RSS chief was given a status of a state guest.

A host of dignitaries including Deputy Speaker Alo Libang, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, Ministers Tamiyo Taga, Kumar Waii, Tanga Byaling, Wangki Lowang, former Chief Minister Gegong Apang, several Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, State BJP President Tapir Gao, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, Principal Secretary Satyagopal, State Information Commissioner Joram Begi  had attended the Sammelan.

We dont see the same enthusiasm if even a central minister visits the state leave alone any religious leader said one church elder who did not wish to be named .

I wonder if even Shankaracharaya comes or a Dalai Lama, such arrangements would have been done said another leader stating that such treatment is being given to the RSS chief because the state government wants money from the Centre.

The umbilical chord of BJP and RSS is well known and statements by many RSS leaders indicate that they would like to cleanse the region from non hindu believers said a Congress spokesperson  , adding that such visits should not be given a status of a state visit.

However RSS sympathizers have said that if Pope and various Evangelical leaders visit states like Meghalaya,Nagaland and Mizoram no one raises eyebrows when Chief Ministers and other officials attend those functions hence why should there be a problem if dignitaries attend a RSS leaders function.

TNT News

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