The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) distanced itself from the invitation of the Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit for its affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch’s (MRM) annual Iftar party scheduled for July 2. Sangh spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya denied the report and asked not to associate RSS with MRM on Tuesday.
Vaidya claimed, “It is totally wrong concept that Muslim Rashtriya Manch is directly associated with Sangh. It doesn't possess any minority wing.” Reportedly Indresh Kumar, RSS leader and patron of the Manch took the decision to invite Pakistan, if they are ready to talk about the issues, like terror attacks in the border areas and ISIS. “MRM is the organisation, for Muslims, and by Muslims,” Vaidya added.
Seeking to shed its ‘anti-Muslim’ tag, the Sangh affiliate Manch invited Muslim nations, including Pakistan on its Iftar party. However, the MRM on Tuesday decided not to invite the Pakistan envoy after his ‘insensitive’ remarks on LeT attack in Pampore. He said, “Let’s enjoy the Iftar party.”
“It is the month of Ramzaan, let's focus on this Iftar party. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed issue between India and Pakistan. It is an issue which needs to be solved. We hope we will sit and discuss over the issue and find a solution. I have already said what I think about the relationship between India and Pakistan. Today we are celebrating Iftar. Let’s have Iftar party and enjoy ourselves,” Basit said.
While the Centre has hinted at Pakistan’s involvement in the attack, the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) is reportedly upset that Islamabad has failed to ‘reciprocate’ New Delhi’s friendly overtures. The MRM is also echoing the RSS’s sentiment that Pakistan cannot be trusted. Mohd Afzal of the MRM said that, “Pakistan will never change.”
MRM’s initiative to invite representatives of 140 foreign missions for Iftar at the Parliament House annexe is being seen as an attempt by the right wing outfit to reach out to Muslims. A similar exercise was carried out last year as well.