EC must monitor activities of RSS and spiritual leaders: Congress leader Mittal

The secretary of the All India Congress Committee's Legal Department, K.C. Mittal, on Wednesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to monitor the political activities of organizations such as the Rashtriya SwayamSewak Sangh (RSS), and spiritual leaders like Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as their involvement in the election process amounts to violating the model code of conduct (MCC).

"What is important is that when a yoga camp was organized here in Delhi, the Delhi Election Commission CEO appears to have issued a notice to its representatives for conducting political activity without the permission of the authorities. The issue is quite clear, whether it is the RSS, Baba Ramdev or Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, they should refrain from political activities. If they intend to make any political statements in support of someone, which is completely wrong, such organizations should register themselves as a political party first," Mittal said.

He also said that the EC should issue instructions to organizations like the RSS and to the spiritual leaders about what they were permitted to do and what not to do when the country is in election mode. The EC should also monitor and videograph any activity that aims to arouse religious feelings, or to seek votes in the name of religion, caste or community. Those violating relevant laws should be booked, he added.

Secondly, Mittal said the expenses of these people and such organizations were being grossly ignored, and hence, he called for special observers to be deputed to ascertain the actual expenditure incurred by the latter.

The Congress had on Tuesday moved the Election Commission against the RSS, yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, saying they have been conducting political activities.