Owaisi criticises PM’s Independence Day mention of RSS, calls it “disrespect” to freedom struggle

By A Staff Reporter

Hyderabad, 16 August — All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mentioning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

Owaisi said the Prime Minister’s speech should focus on informing citizens about the government’s achievements and future plans, rather than referencing organisations with a controversial role in history. “Every Prime Minister addresses the people on Independence Day to tell them what the government has done for them. But PM Narendra Modi spoke about the RSS completing 100 years. I believe this is a disrespect to the country’s freedom struggle, as the RSS did not take part in it; in fact, they helped the British,” he remarked.

The AIMIM chief further argued that the RSS has consistently opposed the idea of inclusive nationalism, which, he said, was central to India’s independence movement. “When PM Modi visited the RSS headquarters, I did not oppose it because he himself is a member of the RSS and will always be. But when he is speaking as the Prime Minister, he should avoid such things,” Owaisi added.