Historians, Politicians Break Down Pranab’s Speech at RSS Event

Mukherjee, in his speech on ‘nation, nationalism and patriotism’, said India’s soul resides in tolerance.

After his address on Thursday, 7 June, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala lauded Mukherjee for “showing the mirror to RSS at their headquarters.”

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, in his address at RSS' ‘Tritiya Varsh’ event in Nagpur asserted that India's identity has emerged through a long-drawn process of confluence, assimilation and co-existence,

Mukherjee, in a strong-worded speech on 'nation, nationalism and patriotism' in context of Bharat, said India's soul resides in pluralism and tolerance.

His decision to attend the event came amid displeasure of Congress leaders, including his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee.

After his address on Thursday, 7 June, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala lauded Mukherjee for “showing the mirror to RSS at their headquarters.”

Here are what some other Twiteratti had to say about Mukherjee’s address.

Mukherjee Dwells on the Significance of Our Constitution: Ramachandra Guha

Lauding Pranab Mukherjee’s “catholic and broad-minded understanding of what it means to be an Indian”, historian Ramachandra Guha tweeted saying, “Mohan Bhagwat’s unitary and homogenising nationalism has been shamed by Pranab Mukherjee’s catholic and broad-minded understanding of what it means to be an Indian. Mukherjee dwells on the significance of our Constitution, a document Bhagwat would not or could not mention.”

In a second tweet, Guha reiterated that , “the most important statement in Mukherjee’s speech was his emphatic assertion that our nationalism flows from our Constitution.”

Absence of Mahatma Gandhi in Pranab’s Speech Speaks Volumes: Sitaram Yechury

On the other hand, CPI(M) general secretary and former Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury was displeased with the absence of Mahatma Gandhi in Pranab Mukherjee’s speech.

Bhagwat and Pranab Mukherjee’s Speeches Complementary to Each Other: Ram Madhav

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s general secretary Ram Madhav tweeted saying the speeches of both Pranab Mukherjee and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were “complementary to each other.”

Speaking ahead of Mukherjee's speech, Bhagwat said that people may have different views but they are all children of mother India.

Mukherjee Underlined For RSS That Secularism is Must: Ashutosh

Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh tweeted commending Mukherjee “for a solid lesson to RSS on nationalism and patriotism.”

He wrote, “RSS wants to decimate Nehru, he told them way forward is Nehru’s path of confluence.”

Pranab Instrumental in Destroying Facts on Netaji: CK Bose

CK Bose, BJP leader and grand nephew of Netaji, accused Pranab Mukherjee of being “instrumental in destroying and distorting facts on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.”

He told ANI, “Pranab Mukherjee is an astute politician,but his loyalty has always been with Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. He was instrumental in destroying and distorting facts on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.”

For Dialogue, One Must Listen and Change: Anand Sharma

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma expresses his displeasure over the RSS not hoisting the national flag or singing the national anthem at the event.

He told ANI, “We did not see the tricolour go up or the national anthem being sung at the RSS headquarter. There was never any doubt of Pranab Mukherjee's ability to articulate and his conviction, but for dialogue the other side must listen and change, hope RSS does it.”

Pranab Da Never Believed in Untouchability Towards Other's Ideology: Rijiju

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju heaped praise on former president Pranab Mukherjee after his speech at the RSS headquarters. Rijiju wrote on Twitter that Mukherjee “never believed in untouchability towards other's ideology.”