Eminent historian Irfan Habib equates RSS with ISIS; ridiculed over social media

New Delhi, Nov 2: Eminent historian and Irfan Habib triggered a fresh controversy after comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the dreaded terror group ISIS.

Addressing a convention organized by agitating intellectuals, who are miffed with the reports of growing religious intolerance, Habib equated the right wing outfit with the terror Islamic State.

"Intellectually, there is not much difference between RSS and ISIS," he was quoted as saying.

Writers, historians, poets, filmmakers are protesting against escalating intolerance in the country ever since the BJP-led government came to power.

Habib alleged that the Modi Government at Centre is providing a free-hand to its ideological affiliates to spread a reign of saffron terror. The Left intellectual also called the Modi regime more communal than the earstwhile NDA Government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Taking strong exception to his comments several intellectuals, including famous journalists, ridiculed Habib for his insensitive comparison.

Here are some tweets:

There's much to question on RSS ideology. But comparing with ISIS is ridiculous. In fact, this is just how liberal case is trivialised, lost

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) November 1, 2015

If Irfan Habib believes there is no difference between the RSS and ISIS it is time for him to give up writing history.

— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) November 2, 2015

This is what ISIS does to scholars. Irfan Habib shud check to C if he's alive & equate RSS & ISIS only if he is not pic.twitter.com/TBef72WDp0

— Thought Shots (@ShootinThoughts) November 2, 2015

If RSS would have been anything like ISIS Irfan Habib would have been slaughtered by now in the holy name of God. https://t.co/O7COGp7RAN

— Prabhav M (@Prabhav135) November 2, 2015

Dear Irfan Habib, RSS is not ISIS. RSS doesn't slit throats and ISIS doesn't use a proxy to run it's empire.

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) November 2, 2015

Prof Irfan Habib finds ISIS as docile and harmless as RSS! Imagine, such apologists of brutal, militant Islamist have written our history!

— हम भारत के लोग (@India_Policy) November 2, 2015

Irfan Habib, historian known for his erudite leftist elegance and fighting Right Wing Islamists at AMU, is now busy overdoing his stuff

— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) November 2, 2015

Stupid to challenge likes of Irfan Habib to go live under ISIS. Maybe that's what he wants, in India.

— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) November 2, 2015

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