Don’t politicise attack on Gagneja, says RSS

While the Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised the efforts of its ally Shiromani Akali Dal on the investigation into the attack on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Jagdish Gagneja last week, the Sangh asked all political parties to not to “politicise” the sensitive issue.

RSS national spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya said on Thursday: “This is not the matter of politics. We all are concerned about Gagneja ji’s health. Attack on a social organisation like RSS could be an attempt by anti-social elements to destabilise the social harmony in the state.”

Earlier this week, the BJP leadership, both in Punjab and the nation, demanded stern action against the perpetrators. The party also condemned the attack on Gagneja, who is said to be critical with three close range bullet injuries.

BJP also asked Punjab Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to come forward and take responsibility for the present law and order situation in the state.

However, the party’s parent right-wing organisation RSS, expressed its support with the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, and stated: “An investigation takes time. The process is going on. Let them do it.”

“We have faith in the government. This sort of attack is shameful and it is not for politicising,” Vaidya further added. Meanwhile, the Punjab CM had directed the district civil and police authorities to maintain maximum vigil against anti-social elements and ensure that the culprits are apprehended at the earliest. A Special Investigation Team had been formed last week.

Punjab police have sent two of its officers to the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University with the CCTV footage of the two men who fired shots at Gagneja, the Punjab RSS vice-president. A senior officer claimed that the video footage was ‘fuzzy’. The police now hope that the available advanced facilities will be able to make it clearer. The force is under tremendous pressure to nab the culprits as the Centre has already sent enough signals in this regard.

On Tuesday, two doctors from AIIMS visited Gagneja, who is battling for his life in a hospital in Ludhiana. After a tense meeting with RSS and BJP state leaders on Monday, Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal promised that no stone would be left unturned to find the perpetrators.