RSS Sahapracharpramukh (joint publicity chief) Narendra Kumar created a controversy on Sunday when he said that media reports of corpses flowing through the Ganga river and buried on its banks was part of an “agenda”.
In a virtual speech on the occasion of Maharshi Narad Jayanti, the RSS leader said: “Dead bodies in Ganga were also seen in 2015 and 2017. There was no Covid-19 pandemic then. So to connect them to Covid-19 now is clearly part of an agenda.”
Kumar said, “Media has generally done its job well during the current pandemic and it is fine to point out problems in the system, but it must be done at proper time and with care. It should create awareness not panic…”
The statement came in the wake of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut appealing to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to take a firm stand on dead bodies that washed up on the banks of river Ganga without last rites. Raut said that the issue is related to Hindutva and is as important as Ram Mandir.
“We expect him (Bhagwat) to express strong views on various issues. However, for the last few months, everyone has been silent, especially, when thousands of dead bodies have been found floating in the river of Ganga, without last rites being performed, as per the rituals. The issue is related to Hindutva and as important as Ram Mandir,” Raut said.
“People in the country expect that pro-Hindu leaders across the country should clarify their stand on the issue and I appeal to Mohan Bhagwat ji that he should express his views on it,” the Shiv Sena leader added.