Centre removes decades-old RSS ban: What is it and why is Congress criticising the move?

Citing a purported government order issued earlier this month, the Congress claimed that the "ban" on the participation of government employees in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been removed.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted an office memorandum claimed to be issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pension, pertaining to the "participation of government servants in the activities of the RSS".

The Congress leader, in his post on X, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the ban that was in force even during former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure was removed on July 9.

"Sardar Patel had banned the RSS in February 1948 following Gandhiji's assassination. Subsequently, the ban was withdrawn on assurances of good behaviour. Even after this the RSS never flew the Tiranga in Nagpur. In 1966, a ban was imposed - and rightly so - on government employees taking part in RSS activities," he said.

"After June 4th 2024, relations between the self-anointed non-biological PM and the RSS have nosedived. On July 9 2024, the 58-year ban that was in force even during Mr. Vajpayee's tenure as PM was removed.

The bureaucracy can now come in knickers too I suppose," the Congress general secretary added.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also posted on X, "58 years ago, the Central Government had imposed a ban on government employees taking part in the activities of the RSS. Modi govt has withdrawn the order."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)