Sanatan Sanstha to go among people to allay 'misunderstanding'

Mumbai: Facing flak over its alleged involvement in unlawful activities, including murder of CPI leader Govind Pansare, right wing outfit Sanatan Sanstha has planned a series of public meetings to reach out to people and dispel "misunderstanding" about the organisation.

Addressing a press meet here, Sanstha spokesperson Abhay Vartak said the first such meeting would take place in neighbouring Thane district tomorrow followed by another in Dadar, central Mumbai (for which date is yet to be announced).

"Despite a slew of false allegations levelled against the Sanatan Sanstha, several Hindu organisations, saints and sects have stood firmly behind it. However, the Sanstha's image among people has been sullied to some extent.

"The truth will prevail as the time passes, but in the meantime we will reach out to public directly and eliminate misunderstanding about the Sanstha from their minds," he said.

After Thane and Mumbai, the next meeting will take place in Pune and gradually we will cover most of the State, Vartak added.

Through these meetings, which will have interactive sessions, the Sanstha representatives will reply to mainly nine accusations against the Goa-headquartered outfit like it prepares "human bombs" and brainwashes its members, he said.

The Sanstha was recently in news when one of its members was arrested in connection with the murder of Pansare in Kolhapur early this year. While the outfit admitted the accused was its member, it denied any role in the murder.

National Spokesperson of Hindu Janjagriti Samiti Ramesh Shinde, who also addressed the press meet, blasted literary figures who have returned their awards to protest alleged spike in intolerance under the NDA Government.

He termed their action as "selective outrage".

"Where were these writers and literary personalities when Hindus and Sikhs were killed. Why their souls did not prick then? Why are they being selective in their approach?" questioned Shinde.