A major political storm has erupted after Congress MP Manickam Tagore drew a controversial comparison between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the global terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda, accusing the RSS of spreading hatred. His remarks came in response to comments made earlier by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who had spoken about the organisational strength of the RSS. Tagore’s statement quickly triggered sharp reactions across the political spectrum, with the BJP, the RSS and allied parties accusing the Congress of indulging in divisive vote-bank politics and insulting nationalist institutions.
Speaking to the media, Tagore alleged that the RSS functions on hatred and intolerance, equating it with extremist organisations. He said that just as Al-Qaeda spreads terror and radical ideology, the RSS too operates by promoting hatred, and insisted that there was nothing constructive to learn from it. He contrasted this with the Congress party, which he described as a 140-year-old organisation rooted in inclusiveness and nation-building, crediting Mahatma Gandhi for transforming it into a mass movement that united people across communities. Tagore questioned why anyone would seek inspiration from what he termed organisations driven by hatred rather than from those that worked for unity and social harmony.
The remarks immediately drew a fierce backlash from the BJP. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress of crossing all limits in its pursuit of political relevance and vote-bank politics. He said the Congress had repeatedly insulted Hindu beliefs, Indian institutions and nationalist organisations, and now had gone as far as branding the RSS a terrorist group. Poonawalla said it was deeply ironic that the Congress remained silent on alleged atrocities against Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh while attacking an organisation that, according to him, had a long record of national service.
BJP leader Rohan Gupta echoed these sentiments, stating that the Congress had reduced its politics to attacking the BJP and the RSS in a bid to stay relevant. He said such remarks only exposed the party’s lack of constructive ideas and its desperation to provoke controversy. The RSS also reacted strongly to Tagore’s comments, with senior leader Indresh Kumar rejecting the comparison outright. He said the RSS, which is celebrating its centenary year, has been working toward nation-building, social harmony and the eradication of social evils such as untouchability, religious extremism and forced conversions. According to him, the organisation stands for discipline, social service and respect for the law.
Kumar also took a veiled swipe at the Congress leadership, suggesting that repeated electoral defeats had left the party frustrated and directionless. He said that the recent appreciation of the RSS’s organisational strength, even by Congress leaders, had unsettled the party and exposed its internal contradictions. Referring to Tagore’s remarks, Kumar said they reflected intellectual and moral bankruptcy rather than any serious political argument.
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also weighed in, defending the RSS and describing its members as patriots committed to national service. She said comparing the RSS to a terrorist organisation showed a lack of understanding and maturity, adding that the Congress should reflect on the idea of nation-building rather than indulging in inflammatory rhetoric.
The controversy has its roots in a recent statement by Digvijaya Singh, who had shared a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 1996 and described it as impactful. While Singh clarified that he opposed the ideology of the RSS, he acknowledged its organisational strength and influence, even noting how it had functioned effectively despite being unregistered. His remarks triggered unease within the Congress and were quickly seized upon by political opponents.
Distancing himself from Tagore’s comments, Digvijaya Singh said that individuals were entitled to their personal opinions and that he had nothing further to add. He later extended greetings to party workers on the Congress foundation day, attempting to shift focus away from the controversy.
The BJP, however, continued to press the issue. Party spokesperson CR Kesavan questioned whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would respond to the remarks, suggesting that the episode exposed deep ideological divisions within the Congress. The controversy has further sharpened political fault lines, with the BJP and RSS portraying the comments as an attack on nationalism, while the Congress struggles to contain internal differences and mounting criticism.
