RSS says Mohan Bhagwat's Indian Army comments being contorted after Rahul demands apology; Youth Congress plans protest

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday clarified over Mohan Bhagwat's statement claiming that the Hindutva outfit can prepare an army within three days. In a statement issued by ideologue Manmohan Vaidya, the RSS claimed that Bhagwat's words had been "misrepresented" by the media.

In its clarification, the RSS said that while the Indian Army takes about six months to prepare the society in the event of a war, Swayamsevaks can be trained in just three days as they practice discipline daily. The statement said that Bhagwat did not compare the RSS with the Indian Army, claiming that he instead was comparing the "general society" with the Swayamsevaks.

While speaking at a zilla school ground on the last day of his six-day visit of Muzaffarpur, Bhagwat on Sunday had said the organisation has the ability to prepare an "army" to fight for the country within three days, if such a situation arises.

"Sangh will prepare military personnel within three days which the army would do in 6-7 months. This is our capability. Swayamsewak will be ready to take on the front if the country faces such a situation and Constitution permits to do so," Bhagwat said. Sangh is neither a military nor a para military organisation, rather it is like a "parivarik sangathan" (family organisation) where discipline is practised like the army, he said adding that workers are always happily ready to make supreme sacrifice for their country.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kirren Rijiju came to the support of Bhagwat. In his tweets, Rijiju reiterated what the RSS had clarified and turned the tables on the Congress, claiming that it wanted to divide the army on religious lines in the past.

Indian Army is our pride. In emergency situation(not congress emergency) every Indian must volunteer to stand with Defence Forces. Bhagwat ji only said it takes 6-7 months for a person to be a trained soldier & if Constitution permits RSS cadres has the ability to contribute.

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 12, 2018

Who had asked for proof of surgical strike from Indian Army? Never try to politicise Indian Army. Congress tried to dilute the Army in 2004 on religious lines by head counting but Army firmly stood the ground. https://t.co/7nNI1BHR2x — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 12, 2018

The RSS clarification came just hours after Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted on the issue and sought RSS' apology for insulting the Indian Army. Moreover, Youth Congress will be launching a protest in front of the RSS office in New Delhi.

The RSS Chief's speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation.

It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it.

Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army. #ApologiseRSS pic.twitter.com/Gh7t4Ghgon

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 12, 2018

With inputs from PTI