Ghulam Nabi Azad denies comparing RSS to ISIS
What's the story
Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha) Ghulam Nabi Azad denied equating the RSS with the terror group ISIS. He presented as proof the recording of his speech and said that it had been "quoted out of context." Azad said that he had spoken about all forms of fundamentalism that must be resisted whether it was the ISIS or the RSS but hadn't compared the two.
12 Mar 2016
Ghulam Nabi Azad draws parallels between ISIS and RSS
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad gave a speech where he drew a parallel between RSS and terrorist outfit ISIS. In his speech, the minister said that "we oppose organisations like ISIS, the way we oppose RSS." At an event organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, he said that if Muslims do wrong things they are in no way 'less than RSS'.
12 Mar 2016
RSS, BJP criticise Azad's remarks, demand apology
The RSS spokesperson in Nagaur said that Azad's comparison reflected "intellectual bankruptcy" of the Congress party and its "unwillingness to deal with fundamentalist and cruel forces like ISIS". RSS said that it was considering taking legal action. BJP too defended its parent organisation, calling it a nationalist party and sought an apology from Azad. BJP also asked Sonia Gandhi to take action agianst Azad.
Information
BJP says Azad's stand shows Congress' support to ISIS
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy called Ghulam Nabi Azad as someone who belonged in a 'mental asylum' for the comparison he had made. The Centre too slammed Azad, saying that his stand symbolised the Congress' support towards the terrorist outfit.
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FM rejects clarification, asks Nabi to 'introspect'
Jaitley in his admonishment to Mr Azad said: "Nothing is a bigger threat to the world currently than ISIS... To suggest it is like another organization gives it respectability - this is what you have done, perhaps inadvertently".
14 Mar 2016
Congress gives its support to Azad
Congress leader Digvijay Singh came out in full support of Azad, and said that "the RSS and ISS are the two faces of the same coin." Further, the Congress has asserted that the BJP seeking an apology "is an exercise in futility." Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said that an apology was ridiculous when the BJP/RSS had never apologised themselves.