Bhagwat's diktat indicates rift within Sangh Parivar: Congress

Taking a jibe at Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's diktat to all affiliate organisations, including VHP and Bajrang Dal, to refrain from publicly airing their resentment against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks denouncing cow vigilantes, the Congress on Thursday said this clearly indicates that they do not believe in democratic process.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said Bhagwat's advice indicates nobody is listening to each other and there is a rift within the Sangh.

"It also makes it clear that there is no space for those who want to put forth their views and that is why they are coming out and speaking in the public domain," Kharge told ANI.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bhagwat said the recent comments by some VHP leaders over the Prime Minister's remarks had embarrassed the BJP and left an impression that there is a rift within the Sangh.

Bhagwat was addressing the representatives of RSS and its 33 affiliated wings, including VHP, BJP, Vidya Bharti, Akhil Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh, Kisan Sangh, Sehkar Bharti, Kreeda Bharti, Purva Sainik Sewa Parishad, Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, Vigyan Bharti and Laghu Udyog Bharti in Uttar Pradesh's Agra city.