RSS a part of the Indian mosaic: German ambassador who visited Nagpur reacts to criticism

The German ambassador to India, Walter J. Lindner, responded to criticism over his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Speaking to The Hindu, in an interview, Lindner said that he went to educate himself about the organisation. "I had read very negative and very positive articles about it, everything from its social engagement to accusations of fascism, and I wanted to make my own impression. So I asked Bhagwat many questions," he said.

Lindner met chief Mohan Bhagwat at the RSS headquarters, and also visited the ancestral home of Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the late RSS founder. "Visit of Headquarters of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) in Nagpur and long meeting with its Sarsanghchalak (Chief) Dr Mohan Bhagwat. Founded 1925, it is world’s largest voluntary organization - though not uncontroversialy perceived throughout its history," he tweeted.

This resulted in an outcry on social media, with several questioning how someone with someone from a country like Germany (reference to Nazism) could glorify the RSS. A change.org had circulated, with close to 1,500 signatures, calling for his resignation. Lindner responded to these questions to The Hindu thus: "I can say that I asked many questions on radicalism, and there are no simple answers to these questions. The RSS is one part of the mosaic that makes up India."

"Indians have to decide what influence the RSS has on the government. The result of my visit was that there were no easy conclusions. I thought it was a good idea to do, and now I will integrate it into my understanding of India."