Congress reminds PM Modi of Sardar Patel's observations on RSS
New Delhi (PTI): After Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the RSS for its role in nation-building, the Congress reminded him on Wednesday that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had said at the time that the Sangh's activities created an atmosphere that led to the killing of Mahatma Gandhi.
In a post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The PM has spoken much of the RSS this morning. Is he even aware of what Sardar Patel wrote to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 18, 1948?"
He shared extracts from a letter written by then Home Minister Patel to Mookerjee, in which he had said, "As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhiji's murder is sub-judice and I should not like to say anything about the participation of the two organisations, but our reports do confirm that, as a result of the activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, an atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible....
"The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of government and the State. Our reports show that those activities, despite the ban, have not died down. Indeed, as time has marched on, the RSS circles are becoming more defiant and are indulging in their subversive activities in an increasing measure...."
In another post on the microblogging website, Ramesh said, "Sardar Patel addressed a massive public gathering in Jaipur on Dec 19, 1948, and spoke forcefully on the RSS. Here is a report carried in the Hindustan Times the next day.
"It is our determined resolve that we will not allow RSS or any other communal organisation to throw the country back on the path of slavery or disintegration," Patel was quoted as saying in the newspaper report while addressing a gathering at Jaipur's Gandhinagar.
Modi lauded the RSS on Wednesday and said the organisation never displayed any bitterness despite several attacks on it as it continued to work on the principle of nation first.
Participating in the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) here, the prime minister highlighted the organisation's contribution in nation-building.
"The Sangh has fought against the atrocities of the British. Its only interest has always been love towards the nation," he said, adding that RSS volunteers gave shelter to freedom fighters and its leaders were also jailed during the struggle for independence.
The prime minister said there have been numerous attempts to crush the spirit of the RSS by levelling allegations and registering false cases against the organisation.
"The RSS has never been bitter, despite attempts to make false cases against it, attempts to ban it and other challenges, because we are part of a society where we accept both the good and the bad," he said, in an apparent reference to the ban on the Sangh after Gandhi's assassination.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
