German Envoy: RSS Is A Mass Movement

Says as a German, he was conscious of its history during the 1930s-40s

- Suhasini Haidar

Terming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha “mass movement” in India, German Ambassador Walter Lindner said his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur was part of his attempt to understand the “Indian mosaic”.

Speaking to The Hindu about criticism over the visit, including an online petition that is calling for his resignation or recall, Mr. Lindner said he had visited Nagpur to review progress in the city’s Metro project which Germany has helped finance, and decided to also meet RSS Sarsanghchalak (chief ) Mohan Bhagwat.

“I went to educate myself about the organization,” he said. “I had read very negative and very positive articles about it, everything from its social engagement to accusations of fascism, and I wanted to make my own impression. So I asked Mr. Bhagwat many questions.”