Chennai: Was RSS leader V. Shanmuganathan, who carved a name for himself, as an excellent organiser and radiated patriotism while serving in Tamil Nadu, really the person who had compromised with his gubernatorial post for the wrong reason? Though the allegation levelled against him and also his sudden resignation has shocked the saffron party here, the BJP here dismissed the allegation as “hard to believe.”
“There was no blemish, no allegation against him nor any adverse remark against him when he served as organiser of RSS in Tamil Nadu. It is unlikely that this senior leader could have indulged in such scandalous activity,” claims M. Chakravarthy, BJP senior. He had a clean image when he worked for RSS in Tamil Nadu and even after shifting to New Delhi in 2003 (for an intense study on parliamentary proceedings, defence and overseas affairs of India),” Mr Chakravarthy told this correspondent on Friday.
But the 67-year-old has been accused of sexually harassing a woman and for reportedly converting Raj Bhavan into a place where “young ladies come and go at will with direct orders from the governor.” The protests by civil society groups erupted in Shillong on January 26 when Republic Day was celebrated. Following this, he resigned from his position both in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh where he was holding additional charge.
“The place where he was working now is dominated by minorities. There could be some plot against Shanmuganathan,” another senior leader in the BJP said.
According to sources, during 1970s, Mr. V. Shanmuganathan worked zealously among the youth and sensitised them about the rich Indian heritage and also against the separatist and narrow parochial tendencies then prevailing in Tamil Nadu. He was instrumental in organising forums like the Movement for National Unity and Integrity. And during the 1980s, he worked for the cause of social equality. In the 1990s, he organised Tamil Valarchi Mandram (to develop Tamil literature) and Bhakthar Peravai (devotees forum).
He also rendered service to end caste differences and promoted unity, equality and brotherhood amongst various sections of society. He took charge as Governor of Meghalaya in May 2015.
