RSS may invite Rahul, Yechury for lecture series by Bhagwat
What's the story
The RSS may invite Congress President Rahul Gandhi to attend a three-day lecture series by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat in New Delhi next month. "The idea is to invite people from different ideologies for the event," a source in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said, adding that the list is being prepared and may also include CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury. Here's more.
Lecture series
Lecture series is titled 'Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective'
Giving details of the September event, RSS prachar pramukh, Arun Kumar, said the Sangh was for the first time organizing a three-day lecture series of its chief Mohan Bhagwat on the theme, "Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective". "Bhagwatji will address and interact with select audience comprising prominent citizens on 'Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective' in a three-day lecture series," Kumar told reporters.
Details
Kumar says people across India want to associate with RSS
The RSS event will be held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi from September 17 to September 19. Kumar said people across the country wanted to know and associate with the RSS. "This lecture series has been organized in this context... sarsangh chalak (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwatji will present the Sangh views on various contemporary issues of national importance," Kumar said.
Information
List has not been finalized: Kumar
Replying to a question on whether Gandhi will also be invited, Kumar said the list hadn't been finalized. In June, Congress veteran Pranab Mukherjee attended an event at RSS headquarters in Nagpur on the Sangh's invitation, for which he was criticized by the party leaders.
Controversy
Rahul's possible invitation comes amid his controversial remarks on RSS
Last week, at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, Gandhi had said the RSS's idea is similar to that of Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world. He had also alleged that the RSS was trying to "change" the nature of India and "capture" its institutions. The Sangh said the Congress chief cannot understand the saffron outfit as he does not know India.