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Lifting of ban on MP staff joining RSS : Congress petitions President |
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The Congress has requested President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to ask the Madhya Pradesh Government to withdraw its recent order permitting government officials to take part in RSS activities. A delegation of the party met the President on Thursday, September 28, and handed over a letter written by Sonia Gandhi expressing concern over the State Government order removing the ban. "We firmly believe the order is illegal and violates both the letter and spirit of the Constitution. I am informed that the Governor was kept completely in the dark by the State Government while it took this policy decision that has far-reaching implications and repercussions," Sonia Gandhi said.
In January 2000, when the Gujarat Government issued a similar order, she wrote to then President K.R. Narayanan. After he took it up with the State Government, it was persuaded to withdraw its order.
"I am sure you will agree with me that it is of the utmost importance to maintain social cohesion and communal harmony in our diverse society at all times. To allow government employees to participate in the activities of an organisation that has had a long record of stoking religious prejudices, inflaming religious passions and polarising our society is a dangerous move, and will not be in the national interest.”
In the meantime, State Governor Balram Jhakhar has sought classifications from the BJP government on the constitutional validity of its decision permitting government servants to join the RSS.
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