Historian Irfan Habib Compares RSS to IS, Faces Criticism

Historian Irfan Habib’s remark comparing RSS with Islamic State hogs all attention and flak online.

Agitating writers and historians in a meeting on Sunday sought to reject the charge that the Congress and Leftists were behind their protest against “growing intolerance” in the country. They alleged that the ruling BJP was unable to “control its mobs”.

Historian Irfan Habib, sparked off a controversy when he compared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to the international terror group, Islamic State.

There is not much difference between Islamic State and the RSS as far as intellect goes.

Irfan Habib, Historian

The writers, artistes, thinkers, historians and academics had gathered for a “resistance” meet (Prat-irodh) against what they described as an “attack on reason, democracy and composite culture”.

However, it was Habib’s remark that got all the attention, and subsequently a lot of flak as well.

Veteran journalists Shekhar Gupta and Tavleen Singh tweeted,

There's much to question on RSS ideology. But comparing with ISIS is ridiculous. In fact, this is just how liberal case is trivialised, lost

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) November 1, 2015

If Irfan Habib believes there is no difference between the RSS and ISIS it is time for him to give up writing history.

— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) November 2, 2015

Here are some other reactions,

Intellectually not much difference between Irfan Habib & Donald Duck. Same grasp on international affairs & history. https://t.co/P48mplXzuA

— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) November 2, 2015

Prof Irfan Habib this is too much. Comparing RSS to the monsters of ISIS? Time for u to retire. And plz withdraw your statement & apologise

— atiya zaidi (@atiyaz) November 1, 2015

Senility or doubt the scholarship itself If a historian sees no difference between the ISIS & the RSS ? #IrfanHabib

— Nandini (@_NAN_DINI) November 1, 2015

I believe historian Irfan Habib today said 'There is no difference between ISIS and RSS' .He is a well known historian- chronicler of times!

— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) November 1, 2015

At the meeting, Habib also made the following remarks,

• Though previous NDA regime (under Vajpayee) did engage in divisive politics, they didn’t go as far as the Modi government has gone.
  
• They have appointed political people from the Sangh in all institutions without the required qualifications.
  
• People are concerned about the way they’ve tried to give a particular colour to all cultural and educational institutions.