RSS likely to invite Rahul Gandhi, other opposition leaders to its event next month

Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Photo: Instagram/incindia

NEW DELHI: Despite Rahul Gandhi’s punitive attack on the RSS during his Europe visit, the saffron outfit is likely to invite the Congress president for its three-day event next month, media reports said on Monday. Other opposition leaders will also be invited to the event titled 'Future of Bharat: An RSS’ perspective', scheduled to be held on September 17-19 at the Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital. The event will be attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who will present the RSS’ view on various contemporary issues of national importance, RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh Arun Kumar said. When asked if Gandhi will also be invited, Kumar said it's RSS' prerogative to choose who to invite or not, adding that people from all walks of life, including from different political outfits, ideologies and religions, will be invited. Giving details of the September event, Arun Kumar said the Sangh was for the first time organising a three-day lecture series of its chief Mohan Bhagwat. "Bhagwatji will address and interact with select audience comprising prominent citizens on 'Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective' in a three-day lecture series," Kumar said. Kumar said people across the country wanted to know and associate with the RSS. "This lecture series has been organised in this context... sarsanghchalak (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwatji will present the Sangh views on various contemporary issues of national importance," Kumar said. Attacking the Congress chief for likening the RSS to the radical Islamist outfit Muslim Brotherhood, Kumar said Gandhi cannot understand the saffron outfit as he does not know India. The RSS, an ideological mentor of BJP, was the focus of Gandhi's attack during his recent visit abroad. Last week, at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, Gandhi had said the RSS' idea is similar to that of Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world. He had also alleged that the RSS was trying to "change" the nature of India and "capture" its institutions.