New Delhi: Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief TV Rajeswar has claimed that the RSS had supported several measures taken by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency period.
The ex-IB chief also claimed that the then chief of the right wing organisation Balasaheb Deoras had in fact tried to set up a meeting with Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi, but both of them refused to meet him.
"Not only they (RSS) were supportive of this, they wanted to establish contact apart from Mrs Gandhi, with Sanjay Gandhi also," Rajeswar said in an interview with Karan Thapar for programme 'To the Point', according to a statement issued by the interviewer.
In the interview, Rajeswar also said that the idea of Emergency was suggested by Sidharth Shankar Ray.
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Rajeswar said Gandhi was aware of what was happening during the Emergency, but how serious the impact was on the people and the consequences, she may not have realised.
Rajeswar also said that Sanjay Gandhi wielded enormous powers during the Emergency.
Congress Protected Bhindrawale
In the interview, the ex-IB chief also claimed that in early 80s, then Punjab Chief Minister Darbara Singh and then Home Minister Giani Zail Singh protected Bhindrawale from police action and even tried to prevent his arrest.
He also alleged that Indira Gandhi failed to take action against the two leaders even though there were concrete proofs against them.
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Rajeshwar also said that he had approached Indira Gandhi with a letter from Akali source that sought a Congress- Akali coalition, only way to counter the emerging presence of Bhandrawale in Punjab. But Gandhi did not heed this advice. Rajeshwar also said the interviewer that he had strongly advised Indira Gandhi against operation bluestar
"I strongly feel that if a settlement had taken place with the Akalis ... the history of Punjab and India could have been different," he said, adding "Even it's possible that Indira Gandhi's assassination could have avoided.
The ex-IB chief also said the Indira Gandhi used IB and RAW to snoop on her colleagues including reporting on Congress people.
