'Insult to Hindu lions': BJP counters Jharkhand CM Soren's 'Rat-like' RSS remark

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday lashed out at Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren for comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to "rats," asserting that the organization consists of "Hindu lions" working to restore the glory of Sanatan dharma.
The BJP accused Soren of following the pattern of George Soros and patronizing Bangladeshi infiltrators for political gains.
Amar Kumar Bauri, leader of the opposition in the Jharkhand assembly, told PTI, "Hemant Soren compared RSS with rats. This is an insult to the 'Hindu lions' who are working to restore the glory of Sanatan dharma. Soren is working in the pattern of George Soros. For petty political gains, he (Soren) is patronising Bangladeshi infiltrators."
Bauri also questioned Soren's claim that demographic changes did not occur in Jharkhand, particularly in Bhognadih, which was the main center of the Santhal revolt of 1855. He asked, "The place Bhognadih from where he said there was no demographic change has been the main centre of the Santhal revolt of 1855. I want to ask him how only seven Santhal families were left there out of 40,000. Where did they vanish if there are no demographic changes?"
During a virtual rally at Bhognadih in Sahibganj, Soren accused the BJP of sowing discord between Hindu and Muslim communities and specifically targeted Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is the BJP's election co-incharge in Jharkhand.
"RSS is invading the state like rats and destroying it. Chase such forces away when you see them entering your villages with 'handia' and 'daru' (locally brewed liquor)...They want to create communal disturbances and tension ahead of elections for political gains," Soren had said.
Soren also questioned Sarma's activity in Jharkhand amid alleged atrocities against tribals in Assam and addressed this issue in a letter to Sarma on Wednesday.