New Delhi: A seemingly innocuous social media post by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, lauding the organisational strength of the RSS and BJP, has sparked intense debate within the Congress party, exposing fissures among its leaders and providing the opposition with fresh ammunition to critique the grand-old party.
The controversy began over a week ago when Digvijaya took to X (formerly Twitter) to call for reforms and decentralised functioning within the Congress party. While the post primarily aimed at urging internal organisational strengthening, Singh’s subsequent remarks on the RSS and BJP were interpreted in multiple ways, triggering a mix of support and criticism from senior Congress figures.
The Social Media Post That Sparked Debate
On Saturday, Singh shared an undated photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP veteran LK Advani, apparently at a public rally. Alongside the image, he wrote:
“I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impactful. It shows how an RSS grassroots volunteer and a Jan Sangh/BJP worker, who once sat on the floor at the feet of leaders, went on to become a state’s chief minister and the country’s prime minister. This is the power of organisation.”
The remark, intended to highlight the organisational efficiency of the RSS-BJP, was seen as a continuation of Singh’s earlier call on December 19 for Congress to adopt reforms and decentralisation. The post directly addressed senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, urging introspection within the Congress.
Division Within Congress
The remark immediately generated divergent reactions within the party. While some leaders supported Singh’s emphasis on organisational discipline, others condemned it as inappropriate to praise the RSS or BJP.
Pawan Khera, senior Congress leader and spokesperson, was one of the first to publicly object. Speaking to ANI, he said:
“There’s nothing to learn from the RSS. What can an organisation known for Godse teach an organisation founded by Gandhi?”
On the other hand, Shashi Tharoor, who has recently been in the spotlight amid speculation of differences with the party, backed Digvijaya, stating:
“The organisation should be strengthened, there is no doubt.”
Tharoor was reportedly seen seated next to Singh, exchanging notes during party meetings, signalling a tacit endorsement of the Congress veteran’s intent to focus on internal organisational reforms rather than ideological alignment with the RSS.
Other leaders voiced strong opposition. Manickam Tagore, Congress MP, described the RSS as “an organisation built on hatred” and questioned the logic of drawing lessons from it. He remarked:
“There is nothing to learn from hatred. Can you learn anything from Al-Qaeda? Al-Qaeda is an organisation of hatred. It hates others. What is there to learn from that organisation?”
A Balanced Perspective by Salman Khurshid
Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid offered a more nuanced view, urging party members and the public to interpret Singh’s remarks in context. He emphasised Singh’s decades-long association with the party and highlighted that his comments were intended to strengthen the organisation, not endorse the RSS ideology.
“No one can even remotely think that whatever Digvijaya Singh says would not be in the interest of the Congress party or that he would speak in a way that goes against the party’s ideology,” Khurshid told ANI. He added that the core message was about fortifying both the Congress party and, indirectly, the country, rather than applauding a rival party.
Clarifications by Digvijaya Singh
Following the controversy, Singh issued at least two clarifications. Leaving a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, he reiterated that while he recognised strong organisational structures, he remained firmly opposed to the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“You are misunderstanding things. I praised the party organisation. I am a staunch opponent of the RSS and Modi ji,” he said.
In a more detailed clarification, Singh further explained his position:
“I am opposed to the ideology of the RSS. They neither respect the Constitution nor the country’s laws, and it’s an unregistered organisation. But I admire their organisational capacity because an organisation that isn’t even registered has become so powerful that the Prime Minister says from the Red Fort that it is the world’s largest NGO.”
On speculation about joining the BJP, Singh dismissed the notion outright, saying, “Can you ever think of it?”
Impact on Congress and Opposition Response
The incident highlights the ongoing internal debate within the Congress party over reform, leadership, and organisational strength. Singh’s post has amplified divisions between leaders advocating for candid assessments and reform within the party, and those cautious about public statements that might be misconstrued as praise for political opponents.
The BJP, unsurprisingly, used Singh’s remarks to criticise Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, arguing that even senior Congress leaders acknowledge the organisational efficiency of the rival party. This has provided the saffron camp with fresh talking points ahead of upcoming electoral challenges.
Conclusion
Digvijaya Singh’s social media post and subsequent clarifications underscore a delicate balancing act in Indian politics: acknowledging organisational strengths in rivals while maintaining ideological opposition. Within Congress, the episode has revealed divergent approaches among leaders—some supporting candid evaluations for internal reform, and others emphasising ideological consistency and public perception.
While the debate continues, what remains clear is that Singh’s remarks have ignited conversations on party reform, organisational discipline, and the strategic communication of political critiques, all while exposing the complexities of navigating intra-party opinions and external perceptions in the current political climate.
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