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Politics

‘Fabricated and Sinister’: CBCI Rejects RSS Chief’s Remarks on Pranab Mukherjee

The CBCI condemned the RSS’s “ghar wapsi” program, labelling it as a violent campaign that infringes on the fundamental rights of tribal and economically marginalized communities.

‘Fabricated and Sinister’: CBCI Rejects RSS Chief’s Remarks on Pranab Mukherjee

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Image: X/@RSSOrg.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body representing Catholics in the country, on Thursday (January 16) raised serious concerns over recent claims made by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding religious conversions and tribal communities.

Bhagwat attributed these remarks to the late former President Pranab Mukherjee, prompting the CBCI to issue a strongly worded statement questioning the authenticity and motive behind such claims.

“Fabricated personal conversation being attributed to a former President of India and its posthumous publication with the vested interest of an organisation with questionable credibility raises a grave issue of national importance,” the CBCI said, as reported by The Telegraph.

Speaking at an event in Indore, Bhagwat claimed that during his first meeting with Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan, there were heated discussions in Parliament about the RSS’s controversial “ghar wapsi” initiative.

The term refers to efforts by Sangh Parivar organizations to convert individuals from Christianity, Islam, and other religions to Hinduism, based on the notion that all Indians were originally Hindus.

Bhagwat recounted that Mukherjee had allegedly criticized the RSS’s methods, saying, “This creates the ruckus. Because this is politics,” but also purportedly praised the outcome, suggesting that “30% of tribals” would have otherwise become “anti-national.”

Bhagwat claimed this conversation left him “very happy” as it aligned with the RSS’s perspective.

CBCI’s Strong Rebuttal

The CBCI dismissed Bhagwat’s statements, asserting that they tarnish the legacy of the former President, who they believe upheld India’s pluralistic and secular ethos.

“We do not believe the statement to be true and spoken by the former President, because we hold him in great esteem for his contribution to the nation and the respect for pluralistic secular ethos of our motherland,” the CBCI stated.

The organization questioned the timing of Bhagwat’s remarks, pointing out that such claims were never made while Mukherjee was alive.

“Why Mohan Bhagwat did not speak when Dr Pranab Mukherjee was alive? The intention seems to be diabolic, sinister and not genuine,” they remarked.

The CBCI also highlighted Mukherjee’s well-documented commitment to secularism, referencing his 2018 speech at an RSS Vijaya Dashami event in Nagpur. There, Mukherjee had underscored that nationalism in India cannot be defined by religion, language, or region, and quoted leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rabindranath Tagore to emphasize inclusion and secularism.

The CBCI condemned the RSS’s “ghar wapsi” program, labelling it as a violent campaign that infringes on the fundamental rights of tribal and economically marginalized communities.

“Is it not the violent Ghar Wapsi programme of VHP and other similar organisations, curtailing the exercise of freedom of conscience of economically deprived tribals, the real anti-national activity?” the CBCI questioned.

The statement further criticized attempts to brand Christians as “anti-nationals,” arguing that such rhetoric targets a peace-loving, service-oriented community.

“The real issue is the right to exercise freedom of conscience, a fundamental right under Art. 25, by the tribals and other vulnerable who too are entitled to live a life with human dignity as enshrined in the Constitution of India. Calling them anti-nationals for exercising their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution exhibits the hidden motive and malicious agenda,” the statement concluded.

In 2018, Mukherjee’s participation as the chief guest at an RSS event stirred significant controversy. However, his speech reaffirmed his belief in secularism and his opposition to any form of exclusionary nationalism.

The CBCI’s statement reflects broader concerns about attempts to polarize communities and undermine India’s constitutional values.

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