RSS Urged to Act Beyond Talks on Manipur by AAP's Sanjay Singh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Thursday addressed the concerns raised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding the ongoing turmoil in Manipur. Singh emphasized the need for the RSS to take constructive action to mitigate the situation rather than merely discussing it. This statement comes in the wake of Singh's suspension from the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session in July 2023, due to his protests concerning the Manipur issue.

Sanjay Singh also questioned why Bhagwat had not earlier advised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on handling the northeastern state's crisis. This inquiry follows BJP president J.P. Nadda's remark that while Atal Bihari Vajpayee's BJP needed RSS support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP does not. Singh interpreted this as a conflict within the familial bond between the BJP and RSS, highlighting Nadda's open critique of the RSS and vice versa.

"I was suspended from Rajya Sabha as an MP over the Manipur case, but when there has been violence there for one year, then the RSS should have earlier itself cautioned the government," Singh stated, pointing out the lack of prior intervention by the RSS in Manipur's ongoing strife.

Furthermore, Singh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he perceives as arrogance, a trait not aligned with RSS values according to Bhagwat. He highlighted Modi's controversial remarks during election campaigns as evidence of this arrogance.

Manipur has been engulfed in violence since May last year, leading to approximately 200 deaths and displacing thousands due to arson attacks on homes and government buildings. Recent reports indicate that fresh violence has erupted in Jiribam.

Bhagwat, addressing RSS trainees in Nagpur, expressed his concern over the persistent unrest in Manipur and stressed the importance of prioritizing peace in the state. He remarked on the detrimental impact of societal conflicts.

The apparent rift between BJP and RSS was also touched upon by Singh, who speculated that Nadda's comments might have affected RSS workers' morale, potentially influencing their support for BJP in elections. The BJP saw a reduction in seats from 303 in 2019 to 240 in the recent Lok Sabha polls, with a notable decrease in Uttar Pradesh from 62 to 33 seats out of 80.

This series of events underscores a complex interplay between political parties and affiliated organizations amidst ongoing social unrest. The situation in Manipur remains a focal point of national concern, with calls for effective intervention growing louder.