NEW DELHI — In a move that has sent political temperatures soaring, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has ignited a fresh controversy by invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1948 letter to demand a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Kharge's unprecedented call has triggered a furious response from the BJP, which has accused the Congress of desperation and historical distortion.

Kharge's Provocative Demand: A 'Ban on RSS'

Speaking at a public event, Mallikarjun Kharge explicitly cited a letter written by India's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in 1948, which addressed the RSS. Kharge asserted that Patel himself had found the RSS responsible for creating a "climate of hatred and violence" that led to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.

• The 1948 Context: Patel's letter, written to RSS Sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar after Gandhi's assassination, did indeed express strong condemnation of the RSS's activities and atmosphere they allegedly created, leading to a temporary ban on the organization. The letter states, "The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of the Government and the State."

• Kharge's Interpretation: Kharge used this historical document to argue that if Sardar Patel, a towering figure revered across the political spectrum, could see the danger posed by the RSS, then the current Congress party is justified in demanding its ban today. He implied that the RSS's ideology continues to foster division and undermine national unity.

BJP's Fierce Counter-Attack: "Congress' Desperation"

The BJP wasted no time in launching a scathing counter-attack, accusing Kharge and the Congress of historical misrepresentation and political opportunism.

• "Desperation and Frustration": BJP spokespersons labelled Kharge's demand as a clear sign of the Congress's "desperation and frustration" ahead of elections. They argued that the Congress is resorting to divisive politics as it faces electoral challenges.

• Patel's Subsequent Stance: BJP leaders highlighted that the ban on the RSS was eventually lifted by Sardar Patel himself in 1949 after the organization formally adopted a written constitution, pledged allegiance to the Indian Constitution and national flag, and committed to working culturally. They argued that Patel later recognized the RSS's adherence to democratic norms.

• "Love for Vote Bank": The BJP further asserted that Kharge's comments were driven by "vote bank politics" and an attempt to appease certain sections of society by attacking an organization that has deep roots in Indian society.

• Attacking Kharge's Legacy: Some BJP leaders even questioned Kharge's own legacy and contribution to national discourse, contrasting it sharply with Sardar Patel's unifying role.

Historical Nuance vs. Political Weaponry

The debate over Sardar Patel's relationship with the RSS is nuanced. While he initially imposed a ban and severely criticized the organization post-Gandhi's assassination, he also oversaw its lifting and, at times, expressed a desire for the RSS to channel its energies constructively within the national framework.

Kharge's comments, however, strip away this nuance, using a specific historical moment as a political weapon. The BJP, in turn, focuses on the lifting of the ban and the RSS's post-1949 conduct to defend the organization.

This latest political firestorm underscores how historical events and figures continue to be central to contemporary political battles in India, often serving as powerful rhetorical tools to rally support and attack opponents.

What are your thoughts on Kharge's demand and the BJP's reaction? Can historical letters dictate present-day political actions?