RSS functionaries in every ministry, alleges Sharma

Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Monday alleged that RSS functionaries are "posted" in the office of every Minister and members in the Narendra Modi ministry are not an "independent entity".

"....It is RSS which commands control. RSS says that it is a social and cultural organisation, they are not the ruling party, but they appoint the BJP President. They decide who will be the Prime ministerial nominee," Sharma said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said "In every Minister's office there is RSS functionary who is posted in the Union government. Ministers are not independent entity."

Also accusing Modi of concentration of power, Sharma said "...If there is one man who knows every thing from education to nuclear science to space science to economy and foreign policy- that is Narendra Modi."

Terming the RSS call for "recasting" of Indian education system as a "dangerous step", he said our education system, contrary to what RSS said, is not made by the British.

"It is anchored by those who gave to us independence, who gave to us constitution."

RSS had yesterday called for "Indianising" education system based on socio-cultural roots of the country and use it as the key to India's human development, while noting that it does not amount to "saffronisation" as propagated by some vested interests and historians.

Commenting on the government's stand not to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with respect to the alleged torture and killing of Captain Saurabh Kalia, Sharma said, "what they said before the election and if you look at their performance I can only describe it as hypocrisy and betrayal."

Kalia and five other soldiers of his patrolling team were captured alive on May 15, 1999 by Pakistani troops and kept in captivity where they were tortured and their bodies mutilated. Their bodies were handed over to the Indian side later.

He also questioned the government on the developments in Jammu and Kashmir relating to separatist activities, and ceasefire violations from across the border.

Calling the government engagement with Pakistan as "flip-flop", he said "...On what assurances the dialogue with Pakistan is being restructured and resumed? ....There are questions, there are many questions infact."