Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is not against Mahatma Gandhi or his ideals. In fact, it follows his path, Tamil Nadu-Kerala South India organiser K. Sthanumalayan said here on Sunday at a function organised to observe the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, its 80th anniversary in Tamil Nadu and celebrate Vijayadasami.
“If Gandhiji were to be alive today, he would have been with the RSS because it followed his idea of Gram Swaraj and worked for eradication of untouchability and caste discrimination,” he said and pointed out who the organisation's volunteers had protected the Mahatma during his last days.
Criticising the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, he said the party’s 38 MPs were opposed to the amendments made to Article 370 and silent on the demand for declaring Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a part of India when the party raised a hue and cry for retrieving the Katchatheevu islet.
Every part of Kashmir as outlined in the Instrument of Accession and as was ruled by the then king Raja Hari Singh were a part of India, he added.
Taking on the critics of RSS, Mr. Sthanumalayan said the organisation was ready to answer every question but it did not have the tradition of holding a public meeting to expound its stance.
Former Vice Chancellor, Anna University, E. Balagurusamy said he had seen RSS volunteers do selfless service in coastal Tamil Nadu in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. Though he had limited exposure to the organisation, he understood that it stood of self discipline, self sacrifice, simple living and other higher ideals.
The pontiff of the Koumara Mutt Siravai Adheenam Kumaraguru Swamigal addressed the gathering. The volunteers earlier took out a march.
