RSS pities Rahul Gandhi for his understanding: Manmohan Vaidya

NEW DELHI: A day after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi accused the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh ( RSS) of "murdering individuality" the organisation's spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya told ET that Gandhi deserves to be pitied for his understanding.

"Everyone knows that whenever Congress finds it has no leg to stand on, it blames the RSS. This has been going on for over 60 years, and people have wised up to this tactic," he said.

"In fact senior Congressmen, barring one or two, desist from bad-mouthing the RSS because they have realised it is counterproductive. I hope some of them can advise Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi deserves our pity for his understanding."

Vaidya said that the Congress was frustrated that the RSS was increasing in popularity especially among the youth and that it (the Congress) was failing to attract the youth. "That is clearly showing in their articulation," he said.

At a function organised by the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, Gandhi had used sharp words to take on the RSS.

"You see the shakhas of RSS. There is a straight queue in shakhas. If anyone makes a noise there, he will be hit with a baton. Have you talked to any RSS and BJP leader? Discipline is just an excuse for them to murder individuality. And this is the thought process which is running the country," he had said.