A fresh political controversy erupted on Sunday after Congress Member of Parliament Manickam Tagore drew a sharp parallel between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Islamic terror outfit Al-Qaeda. The incendiary remark, which accused the BJP's ideological mentor of breeding and propagating hatred, triggered immediate backlash from the ruling party and its allies, while also exposing apparent fissures within the Congress on its 140th foundation anniversary.
Tagore's Explosive Allegation and the RSS Retort
Reacting to fellow Congress leader Digvijay Singh's recent praise for the organisational strength of the RSS, Tagore left no room for ambiguity in his criticism. Speaking to the IANS news agency, the Congress MP stated unequivocally that "there is nothing to learn from the RSS." He escalated his attack by labelling the Sangh as a hate-spreading entity.
"RSS is an organisation that spreads hatred. It breeds hatred and propagates hatred. That organisation is like Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is also an organised group that spreads hatred and terror. There is nothing to learn from the RSS," Manickam Tagore asserted.
The comparison was swiftly blunted by senior RSS member Indresh Kumar, who linked the comment to a deeper malaise within the opposition party. In a conversation with ANI, Kumar suggested that Singh's earlier praise had caused internal turmoil in the Congress, leading to such extreme statements.
"Some leaders praised the RSS for its discipline, patriotism, and work in nation-building. This has caused turmoil within the Congress party, and it appears divided," Kumar said. He added that Tagore's remark "reflects the intellectual and mental bankruptcy of the Congress leadership and its members," while taking the opportunity to highlight the RSS's century-long work.
Political Allies Condemn the Comparison
The criticism was not limited to the RSS. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC launched a strong counter-offensive, turning the tables on the Congress. She dismissed Tagore's statement as a product of a dangerous lack of knowledge and a clear absence of thought.
"Congress MP Manickam Tagore, when he says RSS spreads hatred, I want to say, little knowledge is a dangerous thing," Shaina NC stated. "The Congress has only spread hatred, terror, and for you to suggest that the RSS, there is nothing to learn from, let me please say, the only thing to learn from RSS is nation-building, which is for Congress to learn."
Internal Discord Within Congress Surfaces
The controversy has its roots in a social media post by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh. On the day the party marked its 140th foundation anniversary, Singh shared a black-and-white photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting on the floor near senior BJP leader L.K. Advani in Gujarat.
Singh's commentary focused on the "power of organization," noting how grassroots workers could rise to become Chief Minister and eventually Prime Minister. He tagged several senior Congress figures, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, PM Modi, and the official Congress handles.
This seemingly innocuous post, however, opened a Pandora's box within the party. It drew divided reactions from Congress leaders, raising fresh questions about potential internal discord. While some leaders outright dismissed the idea that the RSS could offer any lessons, others took veiled jibes at Singh for his remarks.
The episode underscores the ongoing ideological and strategic debates within the Congress, even as it faces a formidable political opponent in the BJP-RSS combine. Tagore's extreme analogy, while condemned by rivals, has brought this internal tension into sharp public focus, setting the stage for further political sparring.
