The claims by Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Samjhauta Express, Hyderabad Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Dargah blasts, that the RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat had “sanctioned” these terror acts have sparked off a controversy as BJP and its ally party Shiv Sena has questioned the veracity of the interview. On the other hand, Congress reacted strongly on this issue and if said the allegations might be true.
The Caravan magazine carried a story which mentioned that Aseemanand had revealed that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was involved in terror attack of 2007. Bhagwat had specifically told Aseemanand that the attacks should not be linked to the RSS.
The BJP and its ally Shiv Sena, however, dismissed the media report about Aseemanand’s allegation against RSS as “baseless” and blamed it on the “dirty tricks” department for diverting attention from the real issues before elections.
Atul Bhatalkar, BJP MLA said, “Stories published in the magazine was plotted by the Congress and they won’t derive any benefit out of it. It’s the ploy of the Congress government keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.”
Prakash Javadekar, BJP spokesperson said, “The allegations made against RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is baseless. It’s an attempt made by the Congress to malign the image of RSS.”
Talking to AV, Ram Madhav, RSS spokesperson said, “How can a magazine print such stories without verifying facts. Aseemanand has already clarified that he didn’t issue such a statement.”
When asked whether Congress had planted a story Bhagwat replied without naming Congress that a political party is definitely involved for maligning the image of RSS by performing such ‘Dirty tricks’ because election is just round the corner.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, “Statements printed in the interview are twisted and presented to defame Hindutva organizations. We are questioning the authencity of this interview.”
BJP MLA Gopal Shetty said, “The entire interview was fake. Question are being raised about the veracity of interview. Media is blowing this issue out of the proportion. Once we will come to power then will prohibit electronic media for repeatedly telecasting this issue without verifying the facts.”
Swami Aseemanand has been undergoing jail term since 2010. He had recorded a confession before a magistrate after his arrest, but later retracted it.
As per the magazine, the article was based on a series of interactions held with the blasts accused. The magazine also released audio tapes and transcripts of the interview to prove its claim.
