‘Language gives them away’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calls for vigilance against ‘infiltrators’
New Delhi, Feb 8: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday warned against what he described as “infiltrators” in the country, claiming that their identity could often be revealed by their “language”, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspected foreigners to the authorities, reports the Times of India.
Speaking at a two-day lecture series titled “100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons” in Mumbai, Bhagwat welcomed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out by the BJP-led central government in poll-bound states, even as the exercise has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
“The government has a lot to do regarding infiltration. They have to detect and deport. This wasn’t happening until now, but it has started little by little, and it will gradually increase,” Bhagwat said. He added that processes such as the census or the SIR help identify individuals who are not Indian citizens and lead to their automatic exclusion.
Calling for greater public participation, Bhagwat said people should assist in “detection”. “Their language gives them away. We should detect them and report them to the appropriate authorities. We should inform the police if we suspect that these people are foreigners, and they should investigate and keep an eye on them,” he said, also urging citizens not to offer employment to foreigners.
The Issue of Infiltration has emerged as a major political flashpoint, particularly in West Bengal and Assam. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has challenged the SIR exercise in the Supreme Court, alleging that it is being used as a tool of harassment.
The Election Commission has defended the revision, arguing that it is necessary to weed out illegal voters, including alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators. The BJP has accused the West Bengal government of ignoring the issue, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly criticising the state leadership, saying political considerations were jeopardising public safety and the future of the state’s youth.
