RSS chief slams government over revised poverty line row

Nagpur, Oct.6 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday criticized the UPA Government on the revised poverty line row.

Addressing RSS workers here after its cadres had worshipped arms and ammunitions as part of a special annual ritual related to Dussehra, Bhagwat said the level of poverty was increasing day by day, while on the other hand, the government was showing apathy towards poor people.

"Will 26 rupees and 32 rupees define the level of poverty? The planning commission people should come out of the parliament and each person should be given rupees 32 and asked to spend a day using it in a normal city. The situation is such that they are ridiculing poor people and on the other hand, the level of poverty is increasing and we are still confused in defining poverty," said Bhagwat.

The Planning Commission on Monday had stopped a controversial rate of 32 rupees a day being used as a benchmark for access to anti-poverty programmes.

The Commission's affidavit in the Supreme Court, claiming that per capita expenditure of rupees 32 in urban areas and rupees 25 in rural areas was enough to sustain oneself, had sparked row.

Talking about the Communal Violence Bill, Bhagwat said this bill would end goodwill among people and create differences among the citizens.

"Constitution demands to prove national integrity and considers everyone with equality. But this (Communal Violence Bill) law divides the people of this country into two. Out of the two, one should be considered as the culprit. People in majority should always be considered as the culprits and the minorities are innocents," said Bhagwat.

The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Regulations) Bill 2011, seeks to protect various groups from communal riots.

It has proposed to define the victim groups as 'religious and linguistic minority, in any state in India, or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes'.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also worshipped weapons in Ahmedabad.

'Dussehra' marks the triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, on this day, Lord Ram beheaded Ravana for abducting his wife Sita. (ANI)