The accusations have been levelled by none other than Swami Aseemanand, who is himself an accused in these blasts.
The revelations have been made by a magazine, which reported Aseemanand as saying that the RSS chief had sanctioned these terror attacks.
Aseemanand claimed that Bhagwat had sanctioned the attacks when he was the RSS general secretary. Bhagwat had specifically told Aseemanand that the attacks should not be linked to the RSS.
The magazine yesterday issued a press release and quoted Bhagwat as telling Aseemanand that “it is very important that it be done. But you should not link it to the Sangh”.
As per the magazine, the article was based on a series of interactions held with the blasts accused. The magazine yesterday also released audio tapes and transcripts of the interview to prove its claim. RSS, BJP reject allegations
The Sangh has rubbished the allegations as baseless.
Doubting the veracity of the magazine's interview with Aseemanand, who is currently lodged in Ambala Central Jail, the RSS dubbed the interview as “rubbish and concocted”.
RSS's all-India publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya told an English daily that Aseemanand's lawyer has dubbed the interview contents as false, baseless and concocted.
In fact, the lawyer has even denied that the magazine ever interviewed Aseemanand, Vaidya added.
RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav also dubbed the allegations as “baseless”, saying “attempts have been made earlier also to defame the organisation”.
“The timing gives a feeling that it is a political conspiracy. Someone is seeking political advantage by raking up this old issue,” Madhav said.
“Aseemanand himself has denied making such statements both inside and outside court... the authenticity of the interview is suspected,” he added.
BJP leader Prakash Javadekar also questioned the authenticity of the interview, saying “we denounce it completely”.
Ravi Shankar Prasad of the BJP said, “Aseemanand's lawyer has denied this interview as being authentic. It's the Congress' dirty tricks department working again.”
BJP ally Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut also defended Bhagwat, saying statements are twisted and presented to defame Hindutva organizations.
'Allegations may be true'
From the ruling side, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said, “Let's see what he has said. If he has made a revelation, it may be true.”
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid described the revelation as “serious”.
“This is serious information. It can have serious implications on the country. These must be discussed and truth must come out,” Khurshid said.
Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said the BJP will continue to ignore the matter, but the Home Ministry must take note of it.
JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari too reacted, “This is not surprising for us. Such is their (RSS) work. The government must order fresh investigations.”
Demanding a CBI inquiry, BSP chief Mayawati labelled it an extremely serious issue. “If found guilty strict action must be taken,” stressed Mayawati.
Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma said, “People from the Sangh should be ashamed. They want to destroy the nation for the sake of votes. These people can go to any lengths to make Hindus and Muslims fight.”
Comments
Add new comment