'Such Things Should Not Be Politicised': RSS Responds To Critics For No National Flag On Social Profiles

Such concerns and programmes, according to Sunil Ambekar, should be kept out of politics.

Representational Image.

Source : Getty Images

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) struck back on Wednesday at social media critics who questioned why the RSS did not use the tricolour as the profile photo for its social media accounts, news agency PTI reported.

Speaking with PTI, RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar stated, “Such things should not be politicised. The RSS has already extended its support to ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ programmes. The Sangh had in July appealed for full support and participation of the people and swayamsevaks in the programmes to be organised by the government, private bodies and the Sangh-related organisations."

He was replying to a question about the criticism the RSS is receiving on social media for not posting an image of the tricolour on RSS.org and its social media accounts despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plea to the people.

Such concerns and programmes, according to Sunil Ambekar, should be kept out of politics.

“Politics should not be played on such matters,” he added.

Without naming anyone, a Sangh functionary claimed that the party asking about such issues was to blame for the country's divide.

When queried about the social media queries, the functionary avoided a clear response, and stated, “This is a process. Let us handle it our way. We are thinking about how to celebrate. The Sangh has already clarified its stand and supported all the programmes initiated by the Centre regarding the Amrit Mahotsav.”

The RSS has also asked the people and swayamsevaks to celebrate the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' with zeal, according to the functionary, and preparations are on.

“This is Sangh’s position and making a political issue out of this is wrong. There shouldn’t be sharp questions like these. The party which is raising such questions is responsible for the division of the country,” he alleged.

Earlier, in his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, the Prime Minister advised people to make the tricolour their profile photo on social media, since India would be commemorating its 75th anniversary this year.

A day after PM Modi and numerous BJP officials made the tricolour their social media profile image, Congress leaders and the party's official accounts changed their display picture to a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru with the tricolour on Twitter and other platforms.

The "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign, launched as part of the country's 75th anniversary celebrations (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav), aims to urge people to display the tricolour with practically no limitations.

The goal of this initiative is to encourage individuals to fly the tricolour in their houses for three days, from August 13 to August 15.

(With Inputs From PTI)