Sangh split on ties with Pakistan: Iftar invitation to Abdul Basit cancelled

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A section of the RSS has repeatedly stressed the need for cordial relations with Pakistan, and urged the Narendra Modi government at the Centre not to stall talks with Islamabad due to terror attacks. But another group within the Sangh has been opposed to any relations with the western neighbour.

The Manch, headed by RSS leader Indresh Kumar, had invited envoys of around 60 countries, many of them Muslims, for its Iftar on July 2. Contrary to some reports that it was the “first-ever” Iftar by the Manch, the organisation had held a similar event last year too, and invited several envoys, including that of Pakistan. More than 15 of them had attended the Iftar.

Last year, days after the Centre had suspended the talks with Pakistan, RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale had termed India and Pakistan as brothers and urged the Modi government to normalise bonds with Pakistan.

This year, the Manch faced severe criticism and pressure from several RSS leaders to cancel the invite to Basit after he reportedly shrugged off the Pampore attack that killed eight CRPF personnel. Asked about the attack during a recent Iftar, the Pakistan High Commissioner declined to comment, and said: “Let’s enjoy Iftar.”

The reaction generated immediate outrage online, and several RSS leaders, including Rakesh Sinha, who edits the Sangh think tank India Policy Foundation’s journal Pakistan Watch, asked the Manch to cancel the invitation to Basit. The Manch “should/must cancel Iftar invitation to Mr Abdul Basit”, he tweeted.

Mohammad Afzal, the organisation’s national convenor, told The Indian Express: “Iftar is meant to send out a message… that people of all religions in India live in peace and harmony. Our religion tells us to love our neighbours (but) we decided to cancel the invitation to Pakistan when their High Commissioner expressed no concern for our soldiers (who were killed). His remarks show (Pakistan’s) true intentions — that the country can never be good to us.”