Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, recalled Patel’s own strong reservations about the RSS in the aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948.
Kharge emphasized the significance of the day, marking both Patel’s birth and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary. He highlighted their immense contributions to India’s unity, referring to them as the “iron man” and “iron lady” of the nation. During a press conference, Kharge underscored the Congress party’s historical legacy and its pivotal role in nation-building.
Kharge pointed to a letter from Patel to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, where the then-Home Minister explicitly stated that the RSS had fostered an environment conducive to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He further criticized attempts to depict a rivalry between India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Patel, stressing their strong bond and mutual admiration. Kharge recalled Nehru’s praise for Patel’s unifying efforts and Patel’s description of Nehru as an ideal leader for the nation.
When asked about a potential ban on the RSS, Kharge stated, “It is my personal opinion, it should be done,” attributing many current societal and law and order challenges to the influence of the BJP-RSS.
Kharge’s strong comments followed Prime Minister Modi’s assertion that Sardar Patel’s vision to integrate all of Kashmir, similar to other princely states, was reportedly obstructed by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Prime Minister Modi had also accused the Congress of perpetuating a “slave mentality” inherited from British colonial rule, claiming the country is actively working to shed all remnants of this colonial mindset.