The Rasthriya Swayamsewak Sangh today asked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to publicly clarify his comments about the organization and its involvement in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. On Wednesday, Mr Gandhi had told the Supreme Court that he didn't believe that the RSS as an organization was involved in the conspiracy to kill Mahatma Gandhi.
"Stand by every word I said about RSS: R Gandhi. Which words, in affidavit filed in court of the 'lie' uttered in public speech?" Manmohan Vaidya of the RSS asked Mr Gandhi on Twitter. The RSS continued its attack on Facebook, where it advised "Rahul Gandhi and Congress Party should stop lying and apologise."
The RSS had sued Mr Gandhi, who later approached the apex court for relief, for alleged defamatory remarks against the organization. During a public rally, Mr Gandhi had reportedly said blamed the right-wing organization for the conspiracy to kill the Father of the Nation.
In court, on Wednesday, Mr Gandhi had drawn a distinction between the RSS as an organization and the activities of individuals associated with the RSS. He also clarified that he never implied that the RSS was involved in the murder conspiracy.
However, just a day later, facing criticism for his apparent U-turn on the issue, Mr Gandhi wrote on Twitter, "I will never stop fighting the hateful and divisive agenda of the RSS. I stand by every single word I said."
The RSS has now asked Mr Gandhi to publicly clarify his stand. On Facebook, the RSS cited an apology tendered by The Statesman newspaper in 2003, over an editorial targeting the RSS. It asked, "Do Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have respect for truth to give such and apology in writing and guarantee that he or his party will never utter the 'lie' again in future?"
