Former President Pranab Mukherjee to address RSS cadre at Nagpur on June 7

New Delhi/Nagpur, May 29: Surprising all the secular politicians, progressive leaders and mediamen former President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted the invitation of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to address the valedictory function of the ongoing Third Year training camp at Nagpur on June 7.

RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohanrao Bhagwat will also be present on the occasion.

The RSS conducts annual summer training camps all over the country and third year camp is held at Nagpur the birthplace of RSS. It is conducted in the vicinity of ‘samadhi’ of RSS founder Dr K B Hedgewar and his immediate successor M S Golwalkar ‘Guruji’ at Reshambag in Nagpur. The swayamsevaks from all over the country gather here to receive training in RSS ideology, philosophy and physical exercises during the 25-day long camp braving the scorching sun and sultry nights of Nagpur.

It has been the practice of RSS to invite eminent personalities from various walks of national life to guide the swayamsevaks. Invitation to former President Pranab Mukherjee is in line of this tradition of RSS.

Mukherjee has given his consent to participate in the program, said RSS Prachar Pramukh Arun Kumar. “We have invited the former President of India and it is his greatness that he has given his consent for participating in the programme,” Arun Kumar said.

This year over 700 swayamsevaks from all over the country are participating in this training camp which began on May 14, 2018. The camp will conclude on June 7.

Many an eyebrows were raised as soon as the news of former President accepting the RSS invitation to attend the valedictory function and address the RSS cadre in Nagpur. Mukherjee is a hard core Congressman and has held various important positions in the party and the government, the highest being the President of India.

RSS Sarsanghchalak had met Pranab Mukherjee when the latter was still holding the highest office. The two leaders had further met on a couple of occasions and after Mukherjee demitted the office.

Notwithstanding the criticism by some of the Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee accepting the RSS invitation and participating in the valedictory function is itself a message in the present political context in the country. The message is more vocal when the Congress President Rahul Gandhi detested the RSS not leaving a single opportunity to criticise it. The message is of tolerance and dialogue on vital issues.

The Congress has been looking at the RSS as its main adversary and competitor from the pre-independence days. The first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru even banned this organisation on the pretext of Gandhi murder but had to lift the ban unconditionally. Later, Indira Gandhi too banned the Sangh in 1975 during the Emergency which continued till 1977. In the aftermath of Ayodhya movement, Narsimharao Government too had banned the RSS.

It is against this background accepting the RSS invitation by former President, and staunch Congressman Pranab Mukherjee assumes more significance.