'Strengthening ideological organisations will not bring peace': Congress on RSS chief's Manipur visit

Talking about the three-day visit of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to the state, state Congress president said any visit that "prioritises strengthening organisational growth" over the suffering of the people sends a wrong message.

The involvement of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will not solve the crisis in Manipur, the state's Congress president Keisham Meghachandra Singh said on Friday.

Meghachandra said that the state's situation can only be resolved through a government-led political solution and confidence-building measures.

Talking about the three-day visit of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to the state, he said any visit that "prioritises strengthening organisational growth" over the suffering of the people sends a wrong message.

"The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee takes note of the visit of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat to Manipur. At a time when Manipur is still suffering from unprecedented violence, displacement, social division, and administrative collapse, the people expected the Central Government to send a concrete plan for peace and restoration of normalcy," he said in a post on X.

"However, instead of addressing the humanitarian crisis and the breakdown of governance, the visit appears to be focused primarily on strengthening RSS organisational activities in the State," he added.

"Strengthening ideological organisations will not bring peace," he added.

The Congress leader added that the Centre should provide a roadmap for peace, a unified command structure, a plan for the safe return of displaced families, and accountability for administrative failures.

"MPCC reiterates that the focus must remain on restoration of normalcy, protection of all communities, and justice for victims. Political or ideological visits cannot substitute real governance," he said.

"Manipur needs healing, not polarisation. Any visit that prioritises organisational growth over people’s suffering sends a wrong message at this critical time," he added.

Bhagwat is on his first visit to the conflict-torn Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.

The RSS chief is set to hold several closed-door meetings with RSS members and oversee the functioning of the organisation.

He will also interact with entrepreneurs, tribal leaders from the Manipur hills, prominent citizens and leaders of youth organisations in the state.

Manipur has been under the President's Rule since February after CM N Biren Singh, who led a BJP government, resigned amid criticism of his administration's handling of the ethnic violence, which has claimed over 260 lives.

(With agency inputs)