Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
More than 100 British Hindu and community organisations have welcomed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to the UK, where he has arrived in London for the final leg of his three-nation tour. The visit is part of a series of international outreach initiatives linked to the organisation’s centenary.
As Bhagwat began his UK visit this week, the issue was also raised in the British Parliament. UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the visit met the “requirements” under the country’s immigration rules, responding to a written question on whether it had been fully assessed under the UK’s commitment to block hate preachers and extremists from entering the country.
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Hindu Council UK, Hindu Forum of Britain, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK and INSIGHT UK were among the groups that issued a joint statement. “RSS is the largest voluntary organisation in the world, dedicated towards character building, volunteering, leadership, social cohesion and promoting global fraternity,” they said.
“RSS is known for its extensive social work, promoting equality, education in remote and inaccessible areas and to be the ‘first to respond’ organisation in situations of natural disaster. “We welcome the efforts taken by RSS under the leadership of Dr Bhagwat in promoting five transformations as part of the RSS centenary commemoration, which are relevant to all our communities: social harmony and cohesion; importance of family as a unit within society; self-less service; environmental stewardship; and diligent performance of civic duties,” they added.
Bhagwat is expected to address a large diaspora gathering over the weekend. His wider tour has already covered the US and Canada.
Last week, British Indian minister Nadia Whittome had asked the UK Home Office in Parliament whether the department had fully assessed the visit under the country’s “commitment to block hate preachers and extremists from entering the UK”. Jarvis replied that while the Home Office cannot comment on individual cases, it is committed to addressing the “full range of threats” and “tackling anyone who spreads views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities”. “All individuals seeking entry to the UK must meet the requirements of the immigration rules,” he said.
The parliamentary exchange came after a section of civil society organisations, led by the South Asia Solidarity Group and Hindus for Human Rights UK, appealed to the British government to boycott Bhagwat’s visit. Even as that opposition continued, more than 100 British Hindu and community organisations publicly backed the visit, while the UK government said entry rules had been met.
With PTI Inputs
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
