The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has ousted its Goa chief, Subhash Velingkar on Tuesday for crossing the limits in protesting against the BJP government in the state. Reports said that the decision came soon after the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), of which Velingkar was the convener, announced a political party to take on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Assembly election of 2017.

RSS Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya while speaking with a leading daily said, “One cannot remain a RSS functionary and carry out political activities. As Velingkar has announced that he would launch a new political party, the RSS relieved him of his responsibilities.”

Vaidya also clarified that even though few RSS members supported Velingkar and his sympathizers for their campaign in favor of the local languages, they distant themselves when once they decided to launch a new political party. Vaidya said, “Sangh Konkan unit had extended its support to campaign in favor of local languages, which was a social issue and had nothing to do with politics.”

He further said that the action was not taken for his anti-BJP stance. “As I have said, he was relieved after announcement of launching a political party. It happens even in case of RSS functionary joining the BJP.”

According to the reports, the arrival of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah into the power in the BJP and as the BJP is now closely working with the RSS, there was no way that Velingkar’s anti-BJP stance would be forgiven.

Velingkar had criticized the BJP government in the state for not fulfilling its promise to stop the government aid to 127 English medium schools in the state and allegedly boycotting the Marathi/Konkani medium schools.

By Prajakt K.