Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday expressed his support for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and said that the organisation has been contributing to national welfare. He emphasised that everyone should take pride in any organization dedicated to serving the nation in such a selfless manner.
While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Dhankar emphasized that the RSS comprises individuals who have dedicated themselves to selflessly serving the nation. “I hereby rule that RSS is an organisation that has full Constitutional rights to participate in the development journey of this nation. This organisation bears unimpeachable credentials, comprised of people who are deeply committed to serving the nation selflessly. To take exception that a member of this organisation cannot participate in the development journey of this nation is not only unconstitutional but beyond the rules. Our rules prescribe a methodology…,” he said.
Lauding the RSS further, Dhankar said, “Every organisation associated with the development of the nation should come forward. It is soothing to note, wholesome to note that RSS as an organisation has been contributing to national welfare, and our culture, and everyone should take pride in any organisation which is acting in this manner.”
The remarks by the Rajya Sabha Chairman come after the central government lifted the ban on participation of government employees in RSS activities. A few days ago, an order was reportedly issued by the Ministry of Personnel, lifting the ban on the participation of government employees in RSS activities. The order has, however, sparked a row, drawing criticism from the opposition.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had referred to it as “very strange” after the central government lifted the ban on the participation of government employees in RSS activities.
Tharoor said that it is the responsibility of the government employees to work for everyone and added that they should remain “neutral” when in government.
“This is very strange. RSS work and government work are different, both should not be together and the Narendra Modi government did not change this rule for 10 years, then why are you changing it now? It is the responsibility of government employees to work for everyone, work for the whole country. This is not fair, after retiring from service you can do whatever you want but when you are in the government you should remain neutral,” Tharoor had said.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
