RSS Rebellion in Goa, over 400 Members Resign after State Chief’s sacking

Mangalore Today News Network

Panaji, Sep 01, 2016:  Late on Wednesday evening, more than 400 volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS in Goa announced that they were resigning in protest against the sacking of state RSS chief Subhash Velingkar.

The volunteers announced their decision after several top leaders of the state RSS, which is the BJP’s ideological mentor, met at a school complex near capital Panaji for over six hours to discuss the removal of Mr Velingkar, one of the most influential RSS leaders in Goa.

"All office bearers from the district units, sub district units and shakhas along with hundreds of others have decided to quit the RSS, until Velingkar Sir is reinstated," a leader of state unit said.

Mr Velingkar, who also heads an organisation called the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch, has been critical of the state’s BJP government, which he says is promoting English over regional languages like Konkani and Marathi.

On Monday, Mr Velingkar warned that the BJP could lose next year’s assembly elections in Goa, threatening to mentor a new political party to defeat it. Last week, he was spotted in a protest where black flags were waved at BJP President Amit Shah when he visited the state.

"He has been relieved from his responsibilities. He wanted to get into some political activity. Being a Sangh leader he can’t do that," senior RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya said on Wednesday, announcing Mr Velingkar’s removal.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who has refused comment describing it as an "internal matter" of the RSS, and his predecessor and now Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, have been accused by Mr Velingkar of "betraying people’s trust" by going back on the BJP promise of regional languages as a medium of instruction in schools.

His supporters see a BJP hand in his removal. "RSS is a parent body. Goa BJP cannot dictate terms to the RSS," said a senior RSS leader Jayant Leleeven as volunteers shouted "Shame, Shame."