In a stunning turn of events, a senior Congress leader’s praise for the BJP and RSS has ignited a fiery debate within the party, leaving many wondering: Can the Congress learn from its ideological rivals?
Amidst the 140th anniversary celebrations of the Indian National Congress, a party that spearheaded India’s fight for independence, a controversy has erupted that’s as divisive as it is thought-provoking. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh found himself at the center of a storm after publicly commending the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their ability to elevate grassroots workers to top positions, including Prime Minister. But here’s where it gets controversial: Singh’s remarks, shared alongside a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP veteran LK Advani, sparked outrage within his own party, with many questioning his loyalty and the timing of his statement. And this is the part most people miss: Singh’s call for internal reforms and decentralization of power within the Congress, though overshadowed by the controversy, highlights a growing unease among veteran leaders about the party’s direction.
The fallout was swift and intense. While Singh later clarified his staunch opposition to the RSS-BJP ideology, the damage was done. The Congress, already reeling from electoral setbacks, appeared divided. A significant faction of leaders rallied behind Singh, emphasizing the need for organizational strengthening. Yet, the party leadership was quick to distance itself from the Sangh ideology, labeling it as antithetical to their values and reminiscent of the forces that assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. But here’s the kicker: The debate isn’t just about Singh’s comments; it’s about whether the Congress can—or should—learn from the very discipline and structure it condemns in the RSS.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP known for his candid views, weighed in on the matter. When asked about his stance on Singh’s remarks, Tharoor, who recently shared a photo of himself with Singh at the party’s anniversary event, stated, ‘We are friends, and having a conversation is natural. The organization must be strengthened—there’s no question about it.’ Tharoor, pointing to the Congress’s 140-year legacy, argued that there’s much to learn from its history. ‘Discipline is essential,’ he added, ‘and it’s logical that our organization must embody it.’
But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: While Singh and Tharoor advocate for internal reforms, the party’s response has been a mix of unity and defiance. Senior leader Supriya Shrinate bluntly stated, ‘They should learn from us. We don’t need to learn anything from (Nathuram) Godse’s organization,’ referencing Gandhi’s assassin. Yet, Congress veteran Salman Khurshid asserted that Singh remains firmly aligned with the party leadership in rejecting the RSS ideology. Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who once called for a ban on the RSS, drew a sharp contrast between his party and the RSS-BJP, accusing the latter of exploiting religion for political gain. ‘We may have less power, but our backbone is not weak,’ Kharge declared, emphasizing the Congress’s commitment to secularism.
The controversy has sparked a broader question: Can ideological opponents learn from each other’s strengths without compromising their core values? Singh himself clarified, ‘There’s no need to learn anything from Gandhi’s killers. I oppose their ideology completely.’ Yet, his earlier remarks continue to fuel debate. Pawan Khera, a member of the Congress’s highest decision-making body, succinctly summed up the dilemma: ‘Godse’s supporters cannot be Gandhi’s supporters.’
As the Congress navigates this internal crisis, the party’s ability to balance unity with self-reflection will be crucial. But here’s the million-dollar question: Can the Congress reform itself without borrowing from the very ideology it vehemently opposes? And if not, what alternative path can it chart to reclaim its relevance in Indian politics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think the Congress can learn from the RSS’s discipline without endorsing its ideology? Or is this a line that should never be crossed?
