Sharmistha Mukherjee slams BJP “dirty trick” as morphed image emerges of father Pranab in RSS outfit

Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter and Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee on June 7 pointed to a morphed image purporting to show her father in RSS uniform and giving the RSS salute, and said this is exactly what she was fearing and warned her father about. “Not even few hours have passed, but BJP/RSS dirty tricks department is at work in full swing!” tweeted Sharmistha.

On June 6, Sharmistha Mukherjee had expressed unhappiness with her father’s decision to accept an invitation to address RSS cadres on June 7. Mukherjee paid tributes to RSS founder KB Hedgewar in Nagpur, before addressing the third year annual training camp at the RSS headquarters on June 7.

The former President surprised the political world when he accepted RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's invitation to attend the organisation's event at its headquarters. Congress leaders including Anand Sharma, Ahmed Patel and his own daughter Sharmistha were critical of his decision to accept the RSS invitation.

However, the Congress party on Thursday praised Mukherjee’s speech, saying Mukherjee showed the "mirror of truth" to the Sangh by reminding it of India’s pluralism, tolerance, secularism and inclusiveness as an article of faith and soul of the country. The party also said Mukherjee reminded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his 'Rajdharma' and that "Indian nationalism is constitutional patriotism".

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala however also said in a statement that Mukherjee's visit to RSS headquarters had caused wide ranging discussion, comment, concern and even consternation amongst a large section of Indians, who have an innate belief in foundational values of democracy, pluralism, and diversity.

With IANS inputs.

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