The political controversy sparked by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s remarks praising the organisational strength of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) escalated further on Sunday, with senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar claiming that such statements have caused visible unease and internal discord within the Congress party. Responding sharply to Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s comments comparing the RSS to extremist organisations like Al-Qaeda, Kumar described the remarks as a reflection of “intellectual and mental bankruptcy” within the Congress leadership.

The row began after Digvijaya Singh, a veteran Congress leader, shared a black-and-white photograph from the 1990s showing a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near senior BJP leader L.K. Advani during an event in Gujarat. The image, reportedly sourced from the question-and-answer website Quora, was accompanied by Singh’s comments highlighting what he described as the “power of organisation” within the RSS and its political offshoots.

In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Singh observed that individuals who began their journey at the grassroots level could rise through the ranks to become Chief Minister and eventually Prime Minister, citing Narendra Modi’s political ascent as an example. Singh tagged several senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and official party handles.

“I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impressive. In what way did the grassroots swayamsevak of RSS and the worker of Jan Sangh sit on the floor at the feet of leaders and become the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country? This is the power of the organisation,” Singh wrote, concluding his post with the phrase “Jai Siya Ram.”

The post triggered sharp reactions within the Congress, most notably from MP Manickam Tagore, who criticised Singh’s remarks and termed them a “famous self-goal.” Tagore went further, equating the RSS with Al-Qaeda and accusing it of spreading hatred. “The RSS is an organisation built on hatred, and it spreads hatred. There is nothing to learn from hatred. Can you learn anything from Al-Qaeda?” Tagore asked, asserting that praise for the RSS was contrary to the Congress party’s ideological stance.

Reacting to these developments, RSS leader Indresh Kumar addressed the issue and sought to turn the criticism back on the Congress. Kumar said that leaders across the political spectrum had, at various times, acknowledged the RSS for its discipline, patriotism, and contribution to nation-building. According to him, such acknowledgements had unsettled the Congress leadership and exposed divisions within the party.

“When individuals, institutions, and their leaders face continuous defeats, their frustration becomes evident,” Kumar said. “Some leaders have praised the RSS for its discipline, patriotism, and work in nation-building. This has caused turmoil within the Congress party, and it appears divided.”

Kumar took particular exception to Manickam Tagore’s reported comparison of the RSS with extremist organisations. “In this context, a prominent MP has revealed his mindset by comparing the RSS to Al-Qaeda,” he said. “Such remarks reflect the intellectual and mental bankruptcy of the Congress leadership and its members.”

The RSS leader also highlighted that the organisation is currently marking its centenary year, during which it is undertaking various initiatives aimed at social harmony and national development. He contrasted these activities with what he described as the Congress’s political frustration stemming from repeated electoral setbacks.

“The RSS is celebrating its centenary year,” Kumar said. “Through various programmes, it is working towards building a strong India. Along with this, it is striving for a society free from untouchability, pollution, religious fanaticism, and forced conversions. The organisation encourages people to follow the law and abide by rules.”

Kumar’s comments added another layer to an already heated debate, with the controversy now reflecting not only ideological differences between the Congress and the RSS but also apparent internal tensions within the Congress itself. The disagreement has exposed contrasting views within the party on how to respond to the RSS and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Manickam Tagore, while criticising Digvijaya Singh’s remarks, reiterated that the Congress should draw inspiration from its own history and ideological foundations rather than from organisations it opposes. “We should learn from an organisation like the Congress, which brought people together,” Tagore said, adding that praising the RSS does not help the party or its political struggle.

Tagore also emphasised that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is “with the people” and fighting against what he described as government monopoly. He argued that statements praising the RSS undermine the party’s broader political messaging. “We should support Rahul ji, and such a statement does not help in Rahul ji’s struggle,” Tagore said.

As the controversy grew, Digvijaya Singh issued a clarification, stating that his comments were limited strictly to the organisational structure of the RSS and not its ideology. He reiterated that he remains opposed to the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on ideological grounds.

Singh maintained that acknowledging organisational discipline or structure does not amount to endorsing an organisation’s beliefs or political agenda. However, his clarification did little to stem the political backlash, with both critics within the Congress and leaders from the RSS continuing to trade sharp words.

The episode underscores the deep ideological fault lines in Indian politics, particularly around the RSS, which remains a central and polarising force in the national discourse. For the Congress, the controversy has highlighted internal differences over strategy, messaging, and how to engage with narratives around the BJP and its ideological parent body.

For the RSS and its supporters, the remarks by Digvijaya Singh have been used to reinforce claims of the organisation’s strength, discipline, and influence, while portraying the Congress as divided and struggling to define a coherent response.

As political reactions continue to pour in, the debate appears set to linger, reflecting broader questions about ideology, political identity, and the challenges faced by opposition parties in confronting a well-organised and ideologically driven rival.