"I know only that both the SIMI and the RSS are fanatical and hold fundamentalist views," Gandhi told reporters here. 

His remarks come a few days after the Allahabad High Court's Ayodhya verdict which has set off speculation that the Sangh Parivar may revive the Ram temple movement. 

Political circles see Gandhi's statement aimed at defending its Muslim base, especially in view of the coming Bihar polls.

The Congress leader said that it did not matter much to him whether the RSS was a banned outfit or not. He was responding to questions on how he could compare the Sangh Parivar organisation with a banned outfit. 

Gandhi asserted that there can be no room for people with extremist views in the Youth Congress. 

Gandhi said he did not believe in destiny when reporters said it was his destiny to become Indian prime minister. "It may be your assumption that I will become the prime minister but it is certainly not mine." 

Praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for "doing a fine job", he said: "We have a very capable prime minister. He is much more capable than me. He is on the job. My responsibilities are the Youth Congress and the NSUI (National Students Union of India)and I am doing that." 

On the Ayodhya verdict, the Amethi MP said the court did not condone the demolition of the Babri Masjid Dec 6, 1992. Neither did it justify the mayhem that followed the demolition. 

Gandhi pointed out that the rival parties in the Ayodhya dispute had the right to knock the doors of the Supreme Court in appeal.

Comment

comments...

Equating RSS with SIMI
Rahul Gandhi deliberately, unwittingly or calculatedly equated RSS, an institution constituted to serve the majority and safe guard their interest. In time of natural calamities or sociopolitical unrest it stood to its aims and purposes. The SIMI, too, a biproduct of Islamic Jihad and fundamentalism wants to turn the secular, socialist and democratic India into an autocratic Islamic state. The followers of this organisation are allegedly responsible for many anti national activities. Thus, they are extremist without any doubt.

There have been stray incidents allegedly committed by Hindu youths like Prajna Thakur and Col. Purohit. The former had to undergo even a narcotic test without desirable result. The question arises why the RSS is held responsible for any fundamental act. The RSS is a well organised cultural out fit which has established thousands of schools to save the majority from mass conversion, a handi work of Christian missionaries. Second, its praiseworthy work in tribal areas endeared it to tribals. In votebank politics, it has broadened its base that once have been of the Congress under the able leadersip of Gandhi and Nehru. Rahul Gandhi is trying to revive this vote bank with little success. Taking meal or rest in an S/C or S/T family is considered by opponents as a political drama to revitalize the dying party. He finds in the RSS the greatest challenger to his revival plan.

The SIMI is a banned out fit. Parties like LJP and RJD also demand to ban RSS. As an MP, he should have moved a motion for a debate or introduced a Bill to clip the wings of this fundamental outfit. Howevever,
it is well known that he will do but lip service. In democracy, reward and punishment go side by side. Any person or party or outfit should be appreciated or depricated on the activities of its followers not for vote bank. Such activities or issuing statements are undemocratic, apolitical, unethical and disappointing.

bp mishra