A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stoked controversy with his remarks on pandits, the Sangh issued a clarification saying Bhagwat’s remarks have been misconstrued.
Bhagwat said that God created everyone equal but it was the priests that created castes and sects.
While addressing a gathering at an event, the RSS chief said, “The truth is God. Whatever the name, ability and honour, everybody is the same and there are no differences. What some Pandits say on the basis of Shaastras is a lie.”
“We are misled by caste superiority illusion and this illusion has to be set aside,” he added.
His remarks have drawn sharp reaction on social media with many accusing Bhagwat of being an “anti-Brahmin”.
Following backlash, RSS leader Sunil Ambekar issued a clarification saying, “He (Mohan Bhagwat) was at the Sant Ravidas Jayanti event. He mentioned ‘Pandit’, meaning ‘Vidvaan’ (scholars).”
“Some Pandits speak of caste-based divides on basis of Shaastras, it’s a lie. It’s his exact statement..,” added Ambekar.
The controversy has come amid political storm over Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya who sought a ban on Ramcharitmanas claiming it insults Dalits.
