Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has taken a sharp dig at the government while reacting to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s reported visit to New York, saying he expects Bhagwat to speak about democracy, freedom of expression and the political situation in India.
Raut said Bhagwat has received an invitation to visit the United States and argued that the country’s strong democratic system provides space for open discussion.
Raut says Bhagwat should speak about India’s political situation
Speaking about Bhagwat’s visit, Raut said, “Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the RSS, is traveling to New York; he has received an invitation.”
He then compared the democratic environment in the US with what he described as the situation in India.
“Like India, the United States is also a democracy—a country with a robust democratic system. Freedom of speech is still highly valued there. Unlike in India, where that is no longer the case. Dictatorship prevails in India,” Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said he believes Bhagwat could use his visit to discuss issues surrounding freedom of expression and the Opposition.
“I believe he will address the dictatorship in India, the suppression of freedom of expression, and the attacks being launched against the country’s opposition,” Raut said.
‘The entire world will listen’, Raut says
Raut also referred to alleged police action against protesters and said such incidents had become subjects of wider discussion.
He said that if Bhagwat raises such matters while in the US, his views would attract international attention.
“If the RSS chief addresses these issues and presents his views while in New York, the entire world will listen,” Raut said.
He further argued that Bhagwat should be questioned about developments in India and the role of the RSS in the country’s political environment.
“In a democracy, everyone has the right to speak… Ask him the questions about the country—about what is happening here and who is responsible for the dictatorship of these two leaders; the RSS is responsible,” Raut said.
Raut concluded by saying that raising such questions abroad could be beneficial for India.
“If such questions are raised in America… it would be a significant service to India,” he said.
The remarks come amid a fresh political debate over Bhagwat’s reported US visit, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader using the occasion to raise questions about democracy and freedom of expression in India.
