Opposition flays Chhattisgarh government for allowing staff to join RSS

New Delhi: Opposition members on Monday flayed BJP-led Chhattisgarh government allowing its employees to join RSS and its camps, saying this "dangerous" move will impact the impartiality of the staff and officers. Raising the issue during zero hour in Rajya Sabha, Congress and Samajwadi Party members took on the BJP and the RSS as members of the ruling party tried to interrupt their speeches.

Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the BJP government in the state recently issued a departmental order allowing its employees and officials to attend RSS camps (shakhas), alleging that that RSS was "an organisation that encourages communal forces which want to divide the country."

"This is a dangerous order," he said, adding that the independence of government officials, who are supposed to conduct elections, would be impacted by this order. Without naming RSS, Pramod Tiwari (Cong) interjected to say that some organisations had been banned by the Government earlier.

Quoting Sardar Patel to say that the ideology associated with RSS this organisation was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Tiwari said it cannot be denied that this organisation had assisted the British during the freedom struggle. As the speakers continuted their tirade against the RSS, Treasury benches repeatedly tried to interrupt them.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it was not correct to make "irresponsible charges" against any particular organisation. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he will look into records and expunge parts which are objectionable. With ruling party members continued to interrupt, Anand Sharma (Cong) said it was right of a member to speak once he or she has been called by the Chair.

"Constant heckling of opposition members will viciate the atmosphere. The right of members should be accepted. Heckling should not be allowed," he said.