RSS Stands For 'Rashtriya Surrender Sangh'; Ram Madhav's US Remarks 'Pure Servility': Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Lambasting senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ram Madhav over his remarks during a panel discussion in the United States, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said they are reflective of the "true nature" of the organisation.

In an X post, Gandhi said RSS stands for "Rashtriya Surrender Sangh", calling it "farzi" (fake). "Rashtriya Surrender Sangh. Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in the USA. Ram Madhav has only revealed the Sangh's true nature," reads his post.

At a panel discussion in Washington DC alongside Amb Kurt Campbell and Elizabeth Threlkeld at the Hudson Institute's New India Conference on "New Paths Forward for US-India Relations", Madhav raised a question on India's energy and trade decisions, saying the country agreed to stop buying oil from Iran and Russia despite so much criticism from the opposition.

"India agreed to stop buying oil from Iran. We agreed to stop buying oil from Russia despite so much criticism from our opposition. India agreed to a 50% tariff without saying too much. So where exactly is India not doing enough to work with America?" he asked during the discussion.

Madhav issued a clarification after his remarks drew criticism, adding that what he said during the panel discussion was "factually incorrect". "What I said was wrong. India didn't agree to stop importing oil from Russia anytime. Also, it vigorously protested the 50% tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to the other panellist. But factually incorrect. My apologies," he said.

Earlier, the Centre clarified that India is in a very comfortable position in crude oil, oil products and LPG in terms of the current stock.

Sources said India would ramp up supplies from other parts of the geography and make up any supply crunch from the Strait of Hormuz. India has been buying crude oil from Russia since 2022. About 0.2% of its total imports were from Russia in 2022, while the figure rose to 20% in February.

About 40% of India's crude moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and 60% of the rest of the crude comes from other sources.

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