If Rahul Gandhi apologises, his stature will rise: RSS

With Rahul Gandhi reigniting the debate over his comment on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by saying that he stands firmly by what he said, RSS ideologue MG Vaidya on Thursday advised the Congress vice president saying that if he apologises, then his 'stature will rise'. He further said Rahul Gandhi needs to clarify his stand and added that his comment reflected shamefulness at its best.

"Everyone has a right to criticise RSS. But with regard to Rahul Gandhi's statement whereby he says that he stands by his comment on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, then I would say it is shamefulness at its best," he said.

When told about Rahul's refusal to tender an apology to the RSS, Vaidya said "it is up to him whether he apologises or not. However, if he does his stature will rise."

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday via his official Twitter handle stated, "I will never stop fighting the hateful and divisive agenda of the RSS. I stand by every single word I said."

Rahul Gandhi's counsel on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that he never blamed the entire RSS as an organisation for Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. Senior advocate and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, appearing for Rahul Gandhi cited the affidavit filed before the High Court saying he had only accused certain people of RSS. The case is pending before a magisterial court in Bhiwandi in Maharashtra's Thane district.

Addressing a rally in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, in 2014, the Congress vice-president had alleged that the RSS members had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948.