Published 08:38 IST, October 15th 2019
Akal Takht Chief calls for ban on RSS, says it's out to 'divide' India
The chief of the top Sikh body Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh called for a ban on the RSS, he said that allowing RSS to operate freely would divide the nation
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The Chief of the top Sikh body Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday, October 14, called for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He said allowing the RSS to operate freely would only "divide" the nation. He also mentioned that the RSS ideology will hurt and destroy the country. This statement comes after the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in his Dusshera speech claimed that 'Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra.'
Addressing a media briefing in Amritsar the Akal Takht chief said, "RSS should be banned. I believe what the RSS is doing will create divisions in the country. The statements being made by RSS leaders are not in the country's interests. The RSS is not in the country's interests. It will only hurt the country and destroy it."
According to reports, this is not the first time that religious leaders of the Sikh community and the RSS have faced off on ideological grounds. Last week, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal also objected to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calling India a "Hindu Rashtra."
'Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra'
During his speech, on October 8, Bhagwat asserted that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is firm on its vision that "Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra". He also highlighted the importance of staying united while, recognising differences, he further added that a society's strength lies in staying United.
Addressing the Vijayadashmi function of the RSS at Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra's Nagpur city, he said all Bharatiyas working for the nation's glory and enhancing its peace are "Hindus". "The vision and proclamation of the Sangh regarding the identity of the nation, the social identity of all of us, and the identity of the country's nature are clear, well-thought-of and firm that Bharat is Hindustan, Hindu Rashtra," he said.
"Those who belong to Bharat, those who are descendants of Bharatiya ancestors, those who are working for the ultimate glory of the nation and joining hands in enhancing peace, respecting and welcoming all diversities; all those Bharatiyas are Hindus," he asserted.
About Akal Takht & SGPC
The Akal Takht, translated as "Throne of the Timeless One", is the highest temporal seat of the Sikh community. Located in Amritsar, it is part of a complex of religious buildings centred on the Golden Temple.
The SGPC, also known as the Sikh Parliament, manages all the gurdwaras and religious issues related to the community. Its office-bearers are voted in by the Sikh electorate.
06:52 IST, October 15th 2019