What RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said in Kolkata?

Kolkata: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat today said RSS is not against anyone, only uniting Hindus. Addressing the RSS programme at Brigade Parade Ground in the city today, Mr Bhagat said, the RSS not working against anyone but only working to unite and strengthen the Hindu community and for its empowerment.

"On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, I must say we are not working against anyone but only working to unite Hindu community for empowerment," he said. Bhagwat’s speech comes at a time when the Centre and state government are at loggerheads over demonetization. Amid a raging controversy, a single-judge bench of Calcutta High Court yesterday allowed the RSS to hold a rally at the city’s sprawling Brigade Parade Ground.

The court stated that only invitees will be allowed to enter the rally ground and the rally should be held between 1400 to 1800 hours. Entry will be restricted for non-invitees with a posse of police personnel to be deployed at the venue, the court further said in its verdict. Justice Joymalya Bagchi also issued a show cause notice to the city’s Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar for not informing the RSS of their decision.

Mr Kumar has been asked to file a reply within two weeks and mention what led the Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Headquarters) send a reply to the RSS instead of the Commissioner himself. Earlier, after the city police denying permission for an RSS rally on January 14 in the heart of the city to be attended by its chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and asking them to fix an alternative date, the Sangh filed a PIL in Calcutta High Court today.

The city police sent a letter to RSS Kolkata chief Prasant Bhatt yesterday, saying, "The proposed meeting at the Brigade parade ground in the heart of city, to be attended by Mr Bhagwat having Z+ category security, is completely unadvisable" and asked them to fix an alternative date. RSS had taken permission for Bhukailash ground in Kidderpore from the Bhukailash Trust that manages the ground, but the police turned it down.

Thereafter, RSS leaders obtained the nod of the army to conduct the rally on iconic Brigade Parade Ground. But the police again refused permission due to Gangasagar mela. Earlier, Calcutta High Court directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner on January 10 to consider within 24 hours an application on behalf of the RSS for permission to hold a rally to be addressed by Mr Bhagwat. After attending the rally today, he is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with RSS and BJP leaders on January 15. (UNI)