RSS objects to Modi supporter using Bhagwat's name

The RSS has taken strong objection to the move by an Indian-American, who claims to be a staunch supporter of Narendra Modi, for dragging the name of its chief Mohan Bhagwat and other leaders in an event held here.

"RSS has taken strong objection to Shalli Kumar using the name and picture of its Chief in unauthorised manner," RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said yesterday.

His comments came after it was brought to the notice of the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangha (RSS) that Chicago-based businessman Kumar had printed the name and pictures of Bhagwat as an invitee to 'Bharat Divas' held in Washington DC.

Madhav said the view of the RSS has been strongly communicated to Kumar, who at the function claimed himself as an ardent supporter of BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

The meeting was attended by nearly 300 Indian-Americans, mostly from New York, New Jersey area and those from in and around Chicago in Illinois. But none of the Congressman turned up for the meeting.

Addressing the gathering, Kumar claimed that Modi would be the next prime minister of India.

"And under his leadership we are going to see the golden age of India," he said.

While the RSS distanced itself from this supporter of Modi, the BJP sent a congratulatory message to Kumar for organising the event at Capitol Hill.

"You are a hard working Republican and prominent American Business leader. I have seen you working selflessly but with the aim of promoting Indo - American Friendship. We are thankful for meaningful dialogue initiated under your leadership between the Republican Party of America and BJP in India," Vijay Jolly, global convener of the Overseas Friends of BJP, said in a message, which was read out on the occasion.

The meeting was also addressed by the BJP MP from Chitradurga in Karnataka, Janardhana Swamy.

Kumar is chair of the Indian American Advisory Council of the House Republican Conference, which is chaired by Congresswoman, Cathy Rodgers.

It was Kumar who introduced Rodgers at the Republican Indian American Meet at the US Congress on Tuesday.

The Foreign Policy magazine on its website reported that Rodgers has said that the flyer prepared by Kumar for the event was fraudulently drafted without the permission of Republicans.

"But correspondence between the congresswoman and Modi suggests the two politicians had a last-minute falling out after anti-genocide groups protested Modi's participation," the magazine said.