In a rare praise, the RSS today lauded the "commendable" work done by Christian and Muslim missionary organisations in providing succor to the tsunami-affected people in southern India.
"The Sangh and its affiliates like Sewa Bharati, Vivekananda Kendra were not the only organisations, but others like Ramakrishna Mission, Christian and Muslim missionary organisations and educational institutions also rose to the occasion and did commendable human service," said an editorial in the latest issue of RSS mouthpiece Organiser.
Sangh Parivar organisations have always been critical of Christian and Muslim missionary organisations, accusing them of being engaged in religious conversions.
The editorial also made a scathing attack on the manner in which the UPA government handled the post-calamity relief. "Disaster tourism had its high point when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced his visit twice and cancelled it at the last moment. It seems there was such a competition between the Congress chief and the Prime Minister to reach the disaster spot first, that Singh had to finally give up.
"When Sonia Gandhi announced her trip to Andamans, Singh decided to go to Chennai. Immediately, the party spread the news that Gandhi was visiting Tamil Nadu and other places on her way back from Andamans. The Congress chief's visit was clashing with the Prime Minister's visit to Chennai and as can be expected, Singh had to make a hasty retreat. The Sangh mouthpiece said, "This one-upmanship could have been avoided considering the seriousness of the situation."