RSS Files Formal Police Complaints Against Congress President Over Alleged Inflammatory Remarks
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has taken formal legal action by filing police complaints at two separate stations in Assam against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The complaints center on remarks Kharge allegedly made during an election rally where he reportedly likened the RSS and BJP to a "poisonous snake." The RSS spokesman confirmed the complaints were filed on Wednesday, seeking legal action for what they describe as "derogatory, provocative, and communally sensitive statements."
Details of the Controversial Election Rally Statement
According to the RSS complaints, the incident occurred during a political rally in Nilambazar, which falls under the Karimganj South assembly constituency in Sribhumi district. The rally took place on April 6, during the heated election campaign period. The complaints quote Kharge as making a direct comparison using vivid religious imagery.
Kharge was quoted as stating: "If a poisonous snake is moving in front of you while you are offering namaz, you must stop the prayer and rush to kill the poisonous snake first — that is what the Quran prescribes you to do. I tell you that the RSS and BJP are like that same poisonous snake; if you do not eliminate a poisonous snake like the RSS and BJP, you may not survive."
Legal Action Initiated by RSS Leadership in Assam
The RSS has mobilized its leadership in Assam to file the formal complaints. At the Dispur police station in Guwahati, the complaint was lodged by Khagen Saikia, who serves as the Prant Karyavah of RSS Uttar Assam Prant. Simultaneously, at the Silchar police station, Jyotsnamoy Chakraborty, the Prant Sanghchalak of RSS Dakshin Assam Prant, filed a separate complaint.
The organization has expressed profound concern that these remarks are not merely political rhetoric but are inflammatory in nature. The RSS argues that such statements are capable of inciting hostility, intimidation, and even violence against RSS and BJP workers and supporters. This concern is heightened by the invocation of religious sentiments during a sensitive election campaign period.
Legal and Constitutional Violations Alleged
The complaints put forth several serious legal allegations against Kharge's statements. Primarily, they assert that the remarks constitute a corrupt electoral practice under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This legislation governs the conduct of elections in India and prohibits certain types of speech that could unduly influence voters or disrupt the electoral process.
Furthermore, the RSS claims that the statements amount to criminal intimidation of the public. By describing the ideology of the RSS and BJP as "poisonous" and allegedly calling for their elimination, the complainants argue that Kharge's words could be interpreted as encouraging bodily harm against members and supporters of these organizations. This, they contend, violates laws against incitement to violence.
The complaints also allege that the remarks promote enmity between different political and social groups. Specifically, the RSS argues that Kharge's statement attempts to foster communal division between Hindu and Muslim communities. Such divisive rhetoric, they warn, has the potential to disturb public peace and harmony in Assam, a state with a complex demographic and historical context.
Potential Impact on Social Cohesion and Electoral Environment
The RSS has emphasized the broader implications of such statements on social cohesion. They argue that democratic discourse must always remain within the boundaries set by the Constitution and legal frameworks. Electoral campaigning, in particular, should not resort to language that could endanger social harmony or public peace.
The complainants have warned that if authorities do not promptly address these remarks, they could lead to increased communal tensions or even clashes. In a diverse state like Assam, where communal harmony is crucial for stability, the RSS views Kharge's statements as particularly dangerous. They believe that such rhetoric could negatively influence the electoral environment, creating an atmosphere of fear and division rather than healthy political debate.
The RSS maintains that while political competition is a cornerstone of democracy, it must be conducted with respect for legal norms and social harmony. The filing of these police complaints represents a formal attempt to hold political leaders accountable for their public statements during election campaigns.
