Srinagar: Senior RSS functionary Ramlal on Wednesday criticised Rahul Gandhi’s “all-male anti-constitutional cult” jibe against the Sangh, calling it the “latest manufactured lie” and asserting that the RSS treats women with unmatched respect and has many women as its members.
Reacting to remarks made by Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, on Tuesday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader said that political leaders who rely on falsehoods are witnessing their own political footprint contract, while the RSS continues to enjoy growing public trust.
“Normally, we do not comment on political matters, nor do we comment on political leaders. However, regarding the Sangh, many lies have been peddled continuously for many years. When all their old lies fall flat, they invent a new lie every day. Now, this is the latest lie they have manufactured,” Ramlal told reporters here.
The RSS leader was here as the chief guest at a function organised by J-K Democratic Foundation.
He said there are many women in the Sangh who participate as speakers or preside as chief guests in various programmes.
“They (opposition) tell lies without any basis. Meanwhile, support for the Sangh continues to grow. So, to those making such statements — he is a prominent leader — I would advise: if your support is shrinking because of such narratives, you ought to reflect on that,” he said.
Public support does not grow on falsehoods; public support grows on truth. And as we always say in the Sangh, and as Mohan Bhagwat ji also has noted: say whatever good or bad you want about the Sangh, but come and see the Sangh for yourself first,” he added.
On the foundation day of the RSS on Tuesday, Gandhi had in a post on X said, “The RSS is an all male anti-constitutional cult that believes women are the property of men. I believe in Shiva-Shakti.”
“That’s why it gives me such joy to fight them. What’s beautiful is that many of their ‘own’ women are on my side,” the former Congress chief said.
Ramlal drew a parallel between outside perception about Jammu and Kashmir and the RSS and pointed to the “calm and receptive atmosphere” at his public engagement, saying ground realities often defy political narratives.
“I have come to Kashmir. I see how comfortably you all are taking soundbites; speeches are taking place; so many people are listening. I have come here as well. Everyone knows I belong to the RSS. But didn’t you see how smoothly the event went? We listened to them; they listened to us.
“Outside, people may keep building whatever perception they like — saying ‘this is happening in Kashmir, that is happening in Kashmir’. Similarly, people comment on the Sangh without ever visiting it,” he said.
He added that when people make claims without understanding, “falsehoods slip out of their mouths”. “When lies come out, their credibility diminishes. What can we do about that? The Sangh’s credibility is growing because the Sangh walks on the path of truth”.
Ramlal asserted that the respect given to women in the country is unmatched.
“Not just within the Sangh, but across the entire nation of India, the respect accorded to women is unmatched anywhere else in the world,” he said.
