Sangh asks govt to check anti-nationals in varsities

Condemning the raising of anti-national slogans in JNU, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday said ‘subversive’ elements have made universities the centre of their activities for long and should be checked by governments, as its top brass began a three-day brainstorming session here.

Referring to Malda episode, the Sangh fountainhead also voiced concern over instances of violence and decried attempts to create “atmosphere of fear” as it asked political parties to give up their “policy of appeasement” and take such incidents seriously. “We expect the central and state governments to deal strictly with such anti-national and antisocial forces and ensure the sanctity and cultural atmosphere by not allowing our educational institutions to become centres of political activities,” RSS said in its annual report presented at the meeting of Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the top decision making body, that began here on Thursday amid tight security.

The RSS has said the meeting will focus on issues like education system, eradicating caste-based discrimination and social harmony, while deciding on steps like changing the uniform of its members “to keep up with the times”.

The meet of BJP’s idealogical mentor assumes importance in the backdrop of Narendra Modi government facing flak over handling of JNU row, dalit student’s suicide in Hyderabad, allegations of saffronisation of education and the debate over intolerance ahead of crucial assembly elections.

Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat offered floral tributes at the portrait of ‘Bharat Mata’ in the presence of BJP President Amit Shah at the start of the three-day meet.