NEW DELHI: Slamming Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu for accusing the grand old party and the Left of trying to give a "different colour" to happenings on some campuses, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday criticised the former for espousing the ideologies of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh party (RSS).
Talking to ANI, Kharge said anyone commenting "Naidu’s theory" becomes anti-national and corrupt for the country.
“Venkaiah Naidu has always spoken on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh party (RSS) ideologies, and if anyone has commented on him or his theory, then they all become anti-national and corrupt for the country,” he said.
Kharge also claimed that Naidu does not practice what he preaches.
“Those who speak on secularism or freedom of speech like how Venkaiah Naidu does, but for him to practice it, is very difficult. So, if anyone corrects him, then they are labellled anti-social. Is that not wrong?” he added,
Naidu yesterday said freedom of expression does not mean liberty to advocate disintegration of the country.
“I am surprised about the efforts made by the Congress and the Left to give a different colour to the issues that are happening in a few universities saying it is an assault on freedom of expression,’ he added.
He claimed certain “misguided” sections were trying to mislead the young population and create social tensions, and hurt the sentiments of the people of India.
His comments came in the backdrop of a political slugfest following last week’s clashes between activists of RSS-affiliated ABVP and Left-backed AISA over a seminar invite to JNU student Umar Khalid, an accused in a sedition case.
Attacking the Congress Party, Naidu said the people who had imposed Emergency, put restrictions on fundamental rights, people who put entire opposition behind bars and imposed censorship on the media are now giving sermons on freedom of expression.
He further alleged the Congress Party of inciting violence.