By Pervez Bari

Bhopal, Sept. 15 (IndianMuslims.info): The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), spokesman and general secretary Manak Agrawal has charged that Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is directly associated with the Sangh Parivar, by opening the doors for government employees to join Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, (RSS), activities, has shown the temerity to follow in the footsteps of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a Press conference here today, following the lifting of ban, Agrawal protested the move and threatened to launch a state-wide agitation unless the decision is withdrawn.

Agrawal said the country has seen the death dance following communal violence in Gujarat in 2002 under the chief ministership of Modi which was condemned by the whole world. "Are the people of Madhya Pradesh ready to endanger the peaceful atmosphere in the state"?, he questioned.

He accused RSS of "disturbing communal harmony". The Sangh is also politically active as several of its leaders work for BJP, he alleged.

He said:"The government employees are forbidden by law to take part in any activity of political parties". He alleged that the decision to lift the ban was taken by the BJP government "on the directions of RSS headquarters in Nagpur."

Meanwhile, it may be pointed here that the order lifting the ban by the BJP Government, issued three weeks back on August 21 last, was made public today when the State Chief Minister Chouhan, while describing RSS as a socio-cultural organisation, informed media persons here saying "We have lifted the ban on government employees from taking part in RSS activities," .

Chouhan said that RSS is not a political organisation, but a socio-cultural organisation and it has been associated with various cultural and social events.

According to official sources the required amendments have been made in the Madhya Pradesh State Civil Services Conduct Rules to revoke the ban imposed during the Digvijay Singh regime. Circulars in this regard were issued on August 21 last to all heads of the departments, commissioners and collectors, they added.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislature Assembly Ms Jamuna Devi has described the BJP regime's decision as lethal for Madhya Pradesh. She charged the Chief Minister Chouhan has surrendered to the Sangh and pro-Hindu organisations. The decision will vitiate communal harmony and anarchy will prevail due to deterioration of the law and order situation, she expressed apprehensions.

Charging that the BJP regime has violated the Indian Constitution's secular tenets, Ms Devi alleged that the RSS was globally viewed as a ''terrorist'' organisation. "The weapons display and armed members were examples of such ''militancy'', she added.

She demanded that the government reconsider the decision. She termed the Chief Minister's contention as wrong wherein he has said the Sangh is a socio-cultural organisation.

Meanwhile, MPCC president Subhash Yadav in a statement said that the RSS has a mask covering its political face.