Using PM Speech For Glorifying RSS Is An Insult To Independence Day: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
Pinaryai said that those who served the British, choosing Independence Day to glorify their actions, insult the freedom struggle. Such behaviours cannot sanitise a communal organisation like the RSS, which is alleged to have a toxic history of divisive politics
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the use of Prime Minister's Independence Day speech for glorifying RSS belittled the significance of the day.
In a statement here, the Chief Minister said the portrayal of the RSS, which was banned following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and V D Savarkar, who faced trial for conspiracy to murder, as the Fathers of Independence is a denial of history.
Pinaryai said that those who served the British, choosing Independence Day to glorify their actions, insult the freedom struggle. Such behaviours cannot sanitise a communal organisation like the RSS, which is alleged to have a toxic history of divisive politics.
The Chief Minister stated that the placement of V D Savarkar's photograph above Gandhi’s on the Independence Day greeting card brought out by the Ministry of Petroleum revealed a deeper conspiracy. This also exposed the fear of those who are uncomfortable with the true history of the freedom struggle.
Pinarayi said all Indians stood united for the national freedom struggle, cutting across caste, religion, language, region and attire. The RSS was completely isolated at that time as it openly opposed fundamental philosophical concepts of the freedom movement. Instead of promoting an Indian nationalism that embraced diversity and unity, they upheld a Hindutva nationalism rooted in majoritarian communalism, he said.
The chief minister recalled that when the Constituent Assembly finalised India's Constitution on November 26, 1949, the RSS mouthpiece Organiser suggested that Manusmriti should be upheld instead of the Constitution.
Pinarayi said on August 15, 1947, the Hindu Mahasabha, led by V D Savarkar, chose to boycott Independence Day celebrations by performing eightfold prostrations before the colonial regime. This same Savarkar is now being portrayed by the Sangh Parivar as a leader of the freedom struggle, overshadowing Mahatma Gandhi.
The Kerala Chief Minister said the RSS, which turned against the freedom struggle during critical phases, is now engaging in false narratives to claim participation in the national movement. They are the same group that sought to erase the names of immortal martyrs from Punnapra-Vayalar and the brave martyrs who died in the wagon massacre from the list of freedom fighters.
Those calling for August 14 to be commemorated as a day of remembrance for the horrors of partition lack the legitimacy to speak about Independence Day.
Pinarayi said the RSS carries the heavy burden of hatred and communalism. For those who pursue inhumane sectarianism, India's glorious freedom struggle cannot be undermined. The memories of martyrs like Gandhi and Bhagat Singh should not be equated with such individuals.
The nation must collectively resist any attempts to distort the history of unity and love in favour of spreading hatred, he said.
