Congress-BJP spat over security cut in Bhopal RSS office

BHOPAL: In the midst of Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress-led Kamal Nath government has stirred up a major political squabble by withdrawing security from RSS headquarters '

Samidha

', here on Monday night.

Miffed over the decision, the Sangh Parivar and BJP have launched a blistering attack on the Congress alleging conspiracy while, to the utter surprise of saffron group, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has urged chief minister Kamal Nath to reinstate the security at the RSS office.

The state government had deployed a picket duty outside RSS headquarters during BJP rule led by the then chief minister Uma Bharti in 2003. There were four guards and an officer deployed in the security as former RSS chief K S Sudershan used to stay in Samidha those days.

The security continued during the subsequent BJP governments led by the then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan till Monday night when all of a sudden the security picket was removed after instructions by the police headquarters.

Sources in PHQ revealed that the security guards have been shifted for election duty due to shortage of force in some areas. However, after the reports, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who is contesting Lok Sabha election from Bhopal, came in favour of Sangh Parivar urging the chief minister to reinstate the security picket.

"Removing security from RSS office is not proper. I request chief minister Kamal Nath ji to immediately reinstate the security at the RSS office", tweeted Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday.



Reacting on the removal of security cover, Sangh Parivar said that Congress government failed to cease RSS shakhas in the state. Now this decision could be a controversy against the saffron forces.

"This is a controversy against Sangh Parivar by Congress and Digvijaya Singh. The party decided to remove the security to appease a section of the society. There was no reason mentioned while the RSS office was also not informed before removing the picket", said RSS office trustee, Kantilal Chatar.

RSS public in-charge of Madhya Bharat region, Narendra Jain said that Sangh Parivar never asked for security and it is the government own decision. "We never asked the government for security to the RSS. It was government decision to deploy a picket. Now the government has decided to remove the same on their own".

However, the saffron groups have resented the decision. The state BJP attacked Congress government for conspiring against the RSS. Leader of Opposition (LOP) in MP Vidhan Sabha, Gopal Bhargava said, "Banned terrorist group SIMI is still active in parts of Malwa and Madhya Bharat and can carry any operation against the RSS leaders. The Congress government will be responsible for any untoward incident".

Reacting on the incident, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that it was unfortunate to remove security from RSS office. "Sangh never asked for security. The government had on the basis of intelligence reports had deployed picket at the RSS office. But, after this decision will the government also withdraw the security of all politicians in MP?" asked Chouhan.

He said the decision by Congress government is highly condemnable and expected from the government to fulfil its responsibility for the safety of public or an organisation. The BJP has also dubbed statement by Digvijaya Singh as a political drama. BJP veteran Babulal Gaur said that government should have withdrawn security from the cabinet ministers instead of RSS office.

"RSS is anti-Pakistan hence, Congress removed the security. The statement by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh cannot be taken as his pro-Hindu stance. When Congress is anti-Hindu all the Congress leaders are also anti-Hindu. Chanting Jai Shri will not wash away their sins," said Gaur.

Sources disclosed that after the political spat over BJP and Congress on removing security from the RSS office, the police headquarters is mulling to reinstate the security post again.