After much speculation and opposition, former president Pranab Mukherjee’s valedictory address at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) ‘Tritiya Varsh Varg’ event in Nagpur on Thursday, 7 June, has drawn praises from across the political spectrum.
While Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the speech a history lesson for the RSS, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav hailed Mukherjee’s speech, saying it complimented RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address.
However, there has been complete silence from other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah have not said anything about the former president’s address or his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur.
Neither did the prime minister address the issue when Pranab Mukherjee was invited by the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, nor did he react to his speech.
However, speaking to Zee 24 Taas before Mukherjee’s address, Shah did answer a question on the former president’s visit. “What is the objection if Pranab Da goes to an RSS event?” he said.
Interestingly, the last time Prime Minister Modi tweeted about the RSS was in 2016. He had paid condolences to RSS pracharak K Suryanarayana Rao.
Even the PMO last tweeted a tribute to Nanaji Deshmukh, an RSS pracharak, in 2015.
Congress Miffed Over Pranab’s Visit
Pranab Mukherjee’s acceptance of the RSS invitation was meted with great opposition. Prior to the event, Mukherjee’s own daughter, Sharmistha, and senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel had expressed displeasure over his decision.
However, the Congress leadership later praised the former President’s speech saying Mukherjee reminded the Narendra Modi government of the “Rajdharma” and that he had “shown the mirror of truth to the RSS.”
Mukherjee, during the address, had said, “In the happiness of the people lies the happiness of the king, their welfare is his welfare. He shall not consider as good only that which pleases him but treat as beneficial to him whatever causes happiness to all people.”
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