New Delhi: Alleging that the post-Godhra violence in Gujarat was "Pakistan- inspired", Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudarshan on November 17 sought to equate state Congress president and former RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) activist Shankarsinh Vaghela with Jaichand, who betrayed the nation.

Without naming Vaghela, Sudarshan alleged that the Leader of Opposition in Gujarat had invited a team from the US to probe the violence in the state and equated him with Jaichand, who had invited aliens to attack the country.

Vaghela was addressing thousands of RSS cadres in the Rohini area of the capital, which was closed for the media.

Sudarshan also reiterated his call to the educated Muslims to take over the leadership of the community and interpret their religious texts "according to the changing times".

He criticised the national press, particularly the electronic media, for allegedly projecting Hindus as "demonic" and claimed while the violence sparked off by the February 27 Godhra incident was a "reaction" for a couple of days, the disturbances from March 4 onwards was triggered off by "Pakistan-inspired elements" which provoked a backlash.

"However, throughout the riots only the Hindus were shown as perpetrators of violence", he said and regretted that the media ignored the successful conduct of Board examinations in the state, the safe return of Haj pilgrims and the peaceful Jagannath yatra.

Former RSS chief Rajju Bhaiya, veteran RSS ideologue Dattopant Thengadi, senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Acharya Giriraj Kishore and several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were present at the function.

PTI