RSS "capturing" educational institutions: Rahul Gandhi

Launching a scathing attack on the Modi government over the lingering strike in FTII, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged educational institutions were being "captured" by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and only those "singing praises" of the Prime Minister and BJP are being "placed on top".

Gandhi, who led a Congress delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee to protest the appointment of actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of FTII, said creativity in was being "crushed" by the desire of the RSS to "control" the education system.

"The people who are placed on top of them (the students) do not have the merit to be placed on top. The only merit they have <g data-gr-id="108">is</g> that they have sung praises of the Prime Minister, the BJP and believe in the ideology of the RSS," the Congress vice president told reporters.

Holding that Chauhan lacks merit to govern the institute, Gandhi said the message the government was trying to convey was that "leave behind your capability and merit and pay your obeisance to Modiji and RSS and come to this institution.

"This is a wrong message to the students", he said.

Rahul who had earlier visited Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) campus in Pune to express solidarity with the students who want Chauhan removed, said the delegation articulated the fact that India's soft <g data-gr-id="119">power as reflected in institutions like FTII</g> is being crushed by RSS which wants to control the country's education system.

"They have already destroyed the education system in Madhya Pradesh with the Vyapam scam. We are not going to allow them to destroy these institutions," he said.

"The capturing of educational institutions by the RSS is a political issue. I am not politicising it. The BJP is politicising it.

"Every institution that has been developed over the last 50-60 years on merit is being destroyed. This is a political <g data-gr-id="102">issue</g> not a social issue," the Congress Vice President said.

Gandhi was accompanied to Rashtrapati Bhawan by Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar, Manish Tewari, Kumari Selja, Raj Babbar among others.

"We briefed the president on the FTII matter and I want to send the message mainly to the students of this country and in particular to the boys and girls of FTII that what they are fighting for is a very very important thing," he said.

Students' agitation at FTII is going on for over two months after <g data-gr-id="90">government</g> announced the appointment of Chauhan as head of its governing council.

The students have been boycotting classes since June 12, demanding Chauhan's removal, maintaining that he lacks "academic credentials, vision and stature" to head the premier institute.

While the students have been able to garner support from many Bollywood bigwigs, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has refused to withdraw Chauhan's appointment, asking the agitators to return to academic activity or face action including rustication.

The Congress Vice President said he had earlier thought that Narendra Modi had some guts, but added that today, he "feel(s) this man does not have the guts".

"The Prime Minister promised many things. He had promised Rs 15 lakh. He had promised '<g data-gr-id="82">na</g> <g data-gr-id="83">khaoonga</g>, <g data-gr-id="84">na</g> <g data-gr-id="85">khane</g> <g data-gr-id="86">doonga</g>'.

But the sad part is that he could not come inside (the House).

I thought... we lost... I thought this man has some guts. But today I am feeling that this man does not have the guts.

"We were stuck over the land Bill issue. I thought it would be a tough fight. We have 40 (MPs), and the other side, more than 200 (MPs). Their crony capital friends are behind them. And our 44 and members from different parties blocked it (certain amendments to land Bill)," Gandhi said.

"When the battle was waged and pressure increased, (PM) Modi-ji turned around and started running. It's a reality, he fled," Gandhi said as he claimed that while the Prime Minister had brought the land Ordinance boldly the first two times, he had done so the third time with hesitation before finally giving it up.

Gandhi further claimed that Swaraj had yesterday held his hand as she asked him why he was after her and also took potshots at Narendra Modi, saying it was "sad" that he did not come to the House in the Monsoon session.

He also took a dig at the government over the Vyapam scam as he accused BJP and RSS of joining hands to "damage" the future of thousands of students.

Meanwhile, the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, too, hit out at the Prime Minister, saying he had not attended the House for even a single day during the Monsoon session.

"(PM) Modi-ji did not come to the House ever since the session began despite being the Leader of the House and the Prime Minister. That shows what respect he has for democracy.

This is the height of arrogance. He is giving very scant respect to Parliament. Congress will not tolerate it," he said.

Kharge said that while Congress expected that the government would discharge its responsibility properly, "it is unfortunate that it did not take any interest in running the House".

Further, slamming the government over the Lalit Modi row, he said, "(PM) Modi is ready to protect the ministers, but while the minister (Swaraj) is replying, the captain of the team is not answering." 

Attacking Jaitley over his defence of the government in the Lalit Modi issue, <g data-gr-id="80">Kharge</g> alleged that the BJP leader was defending the former IPL chairman "as a lawyer defends some criminal after taking money from him".