Pranab Mukherjee Responds to Criticism on Accepting RSS Invite: 'Will Say Whatever I Have to in Nagpur'

New Delhi, June 3: Faced with flak for accepting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) invitation for an event in Nagpur, former President Pranab Mukherjee issued a firm response, saying he would be attending the event irrespective of what his critics say.

While speaking to Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika, Mukherjee said he does not deem it fit to respond to his critics at this stage. "Whatever I have to say, I will say in Nagpur."

The former head of state conceded receiving several letters, mails and messages urging his withdrawal from attending the RSS event, scheduled on June 7. Mukherjee, however, claims he is unfazed.

"I have received several letters, requests and phone calls, but I haven’t responded to anyone yet," he was reported as saying.

Among those who have condemned his decision to accept the invite, include Congress veterans P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and Kerala Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala.

Chennithala, in his letter to Mukherjee, said his invitation of the invite comes as "rude shock" to all the "secular forces" in the nation. Chidambaram, meanwhile, appealed Mukherjee to contest the RSS' views and ideologically challenge them while speaking at their event.

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi has, however, come out in Mukherjee's defence, saying the president is not violating his ideological grounds by attending an adversary's event. Singhvi claimed he has too attended events hosted by RSS magazine Panchjanya and Organiser in the past.

The RSS event where Mukherjee has been invited as the chief guest is the concluding function of Sangh Shiksha Varg, an annual training camp.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 03, 2018 01:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).