CJI’s mother to be chief guest at RSS event, brother says invite, ideology ‘separate’: Report
Amravati: Kamaltai Gavai, the mother of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and a political activist, is set to be the chief guest at an upcoming RSS event linked to the Vijayadashami celebrations in Amravati, Maharashtra, on October 5.
The event, which follows the Sangh’s annual Vijayadashmi celebration at its headquarters in Nagpur, coincides with the centenary of the Sangh’s formation. This development has raised eyebrows due to her son’s high-profile position as the Chief Justice of India. However, Dr Rajendra Gavai, CJI’s brother and a leader of the Republican Party of India (RPI), confirmed that Kamaltai would attend the event, as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
“The Gavai family has always maintained relationships that go beyond political boundaries, relationships that are above party lines,” TIE quoted him as saying.
According to RSS sources quoted in the report, Kamaltai’s invitation is in her personal capacity, acknowledging her activism and her role as the wife of the late Ramakrishna Gavai, former Governor of Maharashtra, who was known as ‘Dadasaheb Gavai’.
Officials of the RSS communication wing Vishwa Samvad Kendra mentioned that Kamaltai’s consent was sought before sending the official invitation. “The programme is in Amravati. It has nothing to do with the Nagpur event. The publicity department swayamsevaks in Amravati went to them (the Gavais), gave an official invitation, and they accepted it,” TIE quoted them as saying.
Speaking to the media, Rajendra Gavai said: “The Sangh’s programme is being held in Amravati, and Aai Saheb (mother) has received and accepted the invitation. It is important to note that in the past, leaders like B.D. Khobragade, a barrister and former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and Dadasaheb Gavai have attended the Sangh’s Vijayadashmi events in Nagpur. Hence, even our mother accepted the invite.”
Responding to questions about the Chief Justice’s mother attending a Sangh event, Rajendra Gavai clarified: “My brother holds a very important position today, and that is why some opponents do not like it. They continue to spread baseless things about our family. We visit temples, churches, and mosques with equal respect, but opponents deliberately speak ill and make false remarks about us.”
Rajendra emphasised that their father has maintained cordial relationships with political leaders across the spectrum, from Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Indira Gandhi, yet their ideological beliefs remained distinct. “Attending someone’s function does not mean one’s ideology changes. That is absolutely not the case. In fact, I believe people should attend each other’s events as a matter of respect and goodwill,” he added.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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