RSS doesn't ask members to work for a political party: Bhagwat
New Delhi, Sep 18: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Tuesday that his organisation never asks 'swayamsevaks' to work for any particular political party but suggests that they support those who work for national interests.
On the second day of the "Bhavishya ka Bharat - an RSS perspective" conclave, Bhagwat said the Sangh believed that the centre of power should remain as envisaged in the Constitution.
"Questions are being raised that why there are RSS swayamsevaks in one particular party? Why there are many office bearers? This is not our question. Why they don't go to other parties. It is their decision. We don't ask any swayamsevak to work for a specific political party," he said at an outreach event here.
Bhagwat said the Sangh tells its members to support those who work for the nation's good.
"Those swayamsevaks working with any responsibility in Sangh, they don't do politics. They take a call according to their conscience."
Many with RSS links are known to be in leading positions in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and in various governments, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many from the RSS are also holding top Constitutional posts now.
Referring to allegations that Sangh holds the power centre of the BJP, he said the RSS does not believes in two power centres.
"There is centre of power in the country as envisaged in the Constitution. It will continue."
He said the Sangh had its views on national issues but it doesn't interfere in the government's policies and functioning.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
