Mohammed Amir Rashid says the image of RSS being anti-Muslim and minorities needs to be erased and the setting up of ‘Shakhas’ can help students understand deeply about the RSS. “This Shakha will be named after great revolutionary Pir Ali Khan,” he says.
“A wrong perception is being created that RSS is anti-Muslim, they're actually a nationalist organisation. If 'Shakhas' are held students will know what RSS is about,” he was quoted by news agency ANI.
Rashid further says, “In fact RSS is the only organisation that works for the nation without any discrimination on the basis of religion.”
Explaining about what made him enroll in RSS, Rashid said, “I went to Shakhas organised by RSS and found that there was nothing anti-Muslim. They only talk about the nation and have nothing to do with religion. I have been actively participating in all programmes organised by RSS including ‘Shakhas’ since the last four years.”
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According to Rashid he’s not the only Muslim in the organization which is headquartered in Maharashtra’s Nagpur. “There are around 40-45 people with me from Muslim community who believe in the ideology of RSS. I hope more and more people will be associated with it.”
He says AMU students were giving anti-RSS statements every day without knowing the history and ideology of the organization. “Recently AMU president stated that RSS feeds terrorists which is not true.”
He believes the setting up of shakhas will bolster the Ganga-Jamuni tehzib (communal harmony) of AMU and strengthen the friendship between Hindu and Muslim communities. “It will also permeate the feeling of nationalism and patriotism towards the country in the students here.”
Rashid says many students in AMU follow RSS ideology but do not admit it. “There are 1200 Hindu students who want to join shakha but they cannot speak their minds openly.”
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Being associated with the RSS has however ruffled feathers of some anti-social elements who allegedly from Dubai are issuing death threats to him and his family .
“I am receiving threat calls that they will blow my house. But I don’t care about it. If serving motherland claims my life, I am even ready for that. I received a threat phone call from Dubai and my parents are also receiving calls from various places. I will discuss the matter with RSS local authorities and if they suggest I’ll register a complaint also to Aligarh SSP,” he said.
Aligarh Muslim University Students Union president has reportedly opposed the move. "It is an educational institute, not a political hub. We will oppose this move. RSS's ideology is to divide the nation and they will not be allowed to enter the campus," Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani said.