The RSS vs Rahul Gandhi fight is out in the open with the case all set to go to trial. In a freewheeling interview, Rahul Gandhi’s counsel, former Union minister and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, speaks to Ashhar Khan on the case and also on upcoming Assembly elections.
Rahul Gandhi accused the RSS of being behind the murder of Gandhiji. Does he still stand by it?
Of course, Mr Gandhi stands by every word he had said in that speech in Bhiwandi. There is no question of any backtracking. The words used were that RSS people shot Gandhiji and now they speak about him. The RSS is fighting this defamation case by proxy. We refused to apologise in the court. The other side wanted us to read out and acknowledge a statement prepared by them in the court but we refused. We categorically said that we stand by our earlier statement. Now we are ready for trial.
Are you confident with your case in the court and evidence linking Nathuram Godse to the RSS?
Well the nephew of Nathuram Godse has said that neither Nathuram left the RSS nor was he removed. Please if the RSS can tell us when did they remove or expel Nathuram? There is enormous evidence in our position that substantiates what Mr Gandhi stated. I will give you a few samples of it. In a book by Tushar Gandhi whose second impression was published in 2011 where he says: “Shakhas of the RSS and Hindu mahasabha bore a festive look, lamps were lit and flowers were showered. Crackers were burst what the Sanghis could not do for a decade had been done by one of their cadres.” Another book by Conrad on Gandhi and Godse in the book it quotes Gopal Godse: “Nathuram in his statement said that he had left the RSS. He said this Golwalkar and the RSS were in a lot of trouble after the murder of Gandhi but he did not leave the RSS.” Now Nathuram’s brother also says the same thing. Have they filed any cases against both these authors?
You think this is a political ploy to corner the Congress vice-president?
I think that now it is time for Mohan Bhagwat to actually come out in the open and be upfront about this. He must state, as a citizen of this country and who believes in the law of land, that a true Hindu could never have killed Mahatma Gandhi. He should state that. I believe a true Hindu in India could never have endorsed the killing of the Mahatma. I expect Mr Bhagwat to say this as nobody can stand with a man who murdered the Mahatma. The RSS should make its position clear and if it doesn’t then its ambivalence will be interpreted by millions in India in a manner that any man with sound common sense will interpret it.
There has been some to and fro whether it was the RSS or people from the RSS. What’s your take?
See, the RSS is not an organisation which is registered as a society. It has no corporate status as such. It is an organisation which is amorphous. I believe many RSS people and the Sangh will also tell you that once you are in the RSS you can never leave the RSS. In fact, this has been said by one of the governors who is a member of the RSS that you can never leave the RSS. So this whole controversy is only for politics. It is only an exercise to gherao the Congress vice-president. But in the process they themselves have got gheraoed. In fact, if you ask me they have scored a self-goal. Now when we go to trial we will ask all questions about membership, maintaining of registers. It would be great if Mr Bhagwat himself comes to the witness box and clears all questions.
The Congress has started the election campaign. Does your party even have a chance in Uttar Pradesh?
We have started early. The people of Uttar Pradesh have seen through the alterations of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. Now it is going to be the turn of the Congress. I am also a Rajya Sabha MP from the state. I happen to know ground realities. As we speak there are three yatras going on. One lead by Mr Rahul Gandhi, the other by Raj Babbar and Pramod Tiwari and the third one is of Sheila Dikshit and Sanjay Singh. The response from yatras is phenomenal. It has been 27 years that the Congress has been out of power in the state and look at the conditions. The electricity situation, roads and the administration. Let’s not even talk about the law and order situation in the state. We are providing a credible face and team to lead the state.
What about Punjab? Has the Aam Aadmi Party spoilt your chances of forming the government in the state?
The AAP should first try and give a stable government in Delhi and then think of Punjab. The chief minister is busy fighting with everyone. Has any new road or flyover been constructed in Delhi? They are only inaugurating ones that had been put in place by our government. The allegations being made against them are for all to see. Punjab is seeing an unparalleled agrarian crisis and a drug problem. The youth of the state require jobs, the farmers require help. It is the stable hand of the Congress which can do the needful. There is major anti-incumbency in the state and people are in no mood for any experiments.
Won’t the BJP be a hindrance in both the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh?
The BJP has already exposed itself in Punjab in the last 10 years. The BJP is grappling with its problems at the Centre. It has been two years and the NDA government has not been able to show results. It has failed in dealing with Pakistan. It has messed up in Kashmir that is why the Valley is under curfew for almost two months. This is in spite of the BJP being in power at both the levels — state and Centre. Prices of essential commodities have soared. The benefit the government is taking on crude oil due to low prices is not being passed on to the consumer. Now they have also introduced surge pricing in Railways, which is monopoly. This is a jumla sarkar, which is out to steal from the common man. Hence, they stand exposed in front of the people.
