Centre, Cong launching vicious campaign against us: RSS

NEW DELHI: Two days after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram alleged Ramdev’s agitation was backed by the Sangh, the RSS on Friday hit back dubbing it as a “cheap diversionary tactic” by the government and the Congress. The RSS, which has extended its support to movements launched by Ramdev and Anna Hazare against black money and corruption, said the protests reflected the ire among the people towards government’s “inaction” in addressing these issues.

“A few ministers of the incumbent Central government and office bearers of the Congress party have for the last two days led a vicious campaign against the RSS. Repeated allegations are being made against the RSS attributing motives on us to create disturbance and disorder in the country,” RSS Joint general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said. Chidambaram had said Ramdev’s agitation was not by a yoga guru but was a political agitation “fully backed” by the RSS and its front organisations.

In a statement issued here, Joshi said this was “yet another cheap tactic by the government to divert people's attention and mislead them about the ongoing anti-corruption movement in the nation.”

However, the statement was silent on Ramdev’s threat to set up an 11,000 strong force. The BJP, too, was evasive on it saying the party believed in peaceful protests and that Baba's weapons were his yoga and oratory. “Instances of corruption among the high and mighty and government's inaction to prosecute them or even shield the corrupt have resulted in dissatisfaction among the masses that is now visible in huge anti-corruption protests across the country,” the RSS leader said.

Earlier, the BJP had castigated the government for linking Ramdev’s movement with the RSS saying it was the common man’s voice. On Ramdev’s condition deteriorating, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government should address the issues raised by him.

“It’s a serious issue. The government should drop its arrogance and take immediate steps so that timely and effective announcement is made. The entire country is concerned,” he said.