Owaisi says PM glorifying RSS in I-Day speech an 'insult' to freedom struggle: 'Why do it from Red Fort?'

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi took strong exception to Prime MInister Narendra Modi praising the RSS in his Independence Day speech. (File: PTI)

Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has taken strong exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for their contribution to nation-building in his Independence Day speech on Friday and said doing so amounted to an insult to the freedom struggle.

"Glorifying the RSS in an Independence Day speech is an insult to the freedom struggle. The RSS and its ideological allies served as British foot soldiers. They never joined the fight for independence and hated Gandhi more than they ever opposed the British," Owaisi said in a post on X.

Owaisi further claimed that the RSS "rejects" the values of inclusive nationalism that motivated India's freedom fighters.

"Happy #IndependenceDay to all. PM Modi has once again reminded us why it is necessary to learn real history and honour the real heroes. If we don't, the day isn’t far when cowardice will be sold to us as the highest form of bravery," he said.

Owaisi further argued that PM Modi, a former RSS worker could have gone to Nagpur to praise the RSS and that he did not have to do it from the Red Fort.

"The ideology of Hindutva believes in exclusion and is antithetical to the values of our Constitution. Modi could have gone to Nagpur to praise RSS as a Swayamsevak, why did he have to do it from the Red Fort as the Prime Minister?" Owaisi asked.

Owaisi further said that while China remained the biggest external threat to India, the "greater danger" lay within. "China remains our biggest external threat. But the greater danger lies within — the hate and division spread by the Sangh Parivar. We must defeat all such forces to truly safeguard our freedom."

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort earlier today, PM Modi heaped praise on the RSS and lauded its 100-year journey. "Today I want to mention with great pride that 100 years ago, an organisation was born - the RSS. Its 100 years of national service has been a very proud and glorious page," Modi, who has been an RSS pracharak in the past, said.

The Prime Minister further said that for the past 100 years, RSS sawayamsevaks have been dedicating their lives to fulfil the resolve of character and nation building and for the welfare of the country.

"From the ramparts of the Red Fort today, I respectfully remember all the swayamsevaks who have contributed to these 100 years of national service," the Prime Minister said, adding that the service, dedication, organisation, and unparalleled discipline that the RSS has exemplified for the last 100 years shall continue to act as an inspiration.

PM Modi said that the RSS, through its dedication to service, was, in a way, the world's biggest non-government organisation.