If RSS is SIMI, then Rahul is immature, unruly: BJP

New Delhi:
Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi came under the direct line of fire of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday evening after he said earlier in the day that the RSS was no different from banned Muslim organisation Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) – both of which he considered “fanatical” and “fundamentalist”.



Closely associated with the RSS, the BJP was caustic in its retaliation, stating that the young leader seems to have lost his mental balance and shown political immaturity by his comments.



BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: "Only a sick mind can do it (compare RSS to SIMI). He seems to have lost his mental balance. RSS is an institution of nationalist thought while SIMI has been banned by their (Congress) government. We banned it too when in power."



Gandhi had said in Bhopal that RSS was a "fanatical" organisation and was as fundamentalist as the SIMI, a banned student organisation involved in terror activities.



His comments against the RSS, the Sangh founthead which controls the BJP, seems to have rattled the party. Javadekar said, "The Congress knows it is not winning in Madhya Pradesh. I can understand its frustration. The Congress has been losing elections of late. The NSUI lost the students' union elections in Delhi, the party also lost by-elections in several states. Rahul Gandhi's magic is not working for the Congress."



He insisted the RSS had served the nation during crises in the past and its contribution to the country was immense.



"Rahul Gandhi has shown political immaturity and engaged in unruly behaviour," Javadekar said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/If-RSS-is-SIMI--then-Rahul-is-immature--unruly--BJP/693527