New Delhi, December 28, 2025 — The political landscape in the national capital intensified on Sunday as Congress MP Manickam Tagore launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), comparing the organization to Al-Qaeda.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking to news agency ANI, Tagore criticized recent comments made by his party colleague, Digvijaya Singh, who had praised the RSS for its disciplined organizational structure. Tagore termed Singh’s statement a “famous self-goal,” asserting that the Congress party has nothing to learn from an ideology he described as being rooted in division.
Key Highlights of the Statement
Addressing the media, Tagore questioned the rationale behind praising the RSS. “The RSS is an organization built on hatred, and it spreads hatred. There is nothing to learn from hatred,” he stated.
Drawing a direct parallel to international extremism, he added, “Can you learn anything from Al-Qaeda? Al-Qaeda is an organization of hatred. It hates others. What is there to learn from that organization?”
Tagore emphasized that the Indian National Congress, with its 140-year history, serves as the ultimate model for a people’s movement. He credited Mahatma Gandhi with transforming the party into a unifying force for the nation, suggesting that the Congress should focus on its own heritage of inclusivity rather than looking toward “organizations of hatred.”
Internal Friction and “Self-Goals”
The MP’s remarks highlight a growing ideological debate within the Congress party. Earlier, veteran leader Digvijaya Singh had commented on the RSS’s organizational efficiency, though he later clarified that he remains ideologically opposed to the Sangh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tagore, however, remained firm that such statements undermine the struggle led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi is completely with the people, fighting against government monopoly. We should support him, and such statements [praising the RSS] do not help in Rahul ji’s struggle,” Tagore said.
BJP Response
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized the opportunity to target the Congress over the internal discord. BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan condemned Tagore’s comparison, calling it “unfortunate” and an attempt to demonize a cultural organization. BJP leaders argued that such “extremist rhetoric” reflects the “autocratic and undemocratic” mindset of the current Congress leadership.
Historical Context
This is not the first time Manickam Tagore has targeted the RSS. In recent months, he has frequently accused the organization of attempting to “hijack” the education system and “remote-controlling” the central government from Nagpur. Tagore has consistently maintained that the RSS played no role in India’s freedom struggle, often using the hashtag #RSSWithBritish to challenge their nationalist credentials.
As the political war of words escalates, the Congress leadership has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the specific comparison to Al-Qaeda, even as the BJP prepares to raise the issue in upcoming public forums.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore slams RSS
This video provides additional context on Manickam Tagore’s long-standing criticisms of the RSS and his perspective on the ideological battles within Indian politics.
