UP Governor releases RSS book, stokes controversy

UP Governor releases RSS book, stokes controversy
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

LUCKNOW, SEPT 19: Uttar Pradesh Governor Suraj Bhan on Tuesday stoked a controversy when he released a book of the Awadh Prant of RSS against which the Congress shot off a letter to the President protesting the use of Raj Bhawan for such a function.

The Governor told reporters here that there was nothing wrong in attending such a function, where he released the book "Path Sanket", and the issue was being "unnecessarily blown out of proportion."

He said he was not aware that the funtion was that of a RSS functionary. "I have seen the book released today which dealt with the traditional and cultural values. There was nothing wrong in releasing such a book."

"I also did not see any RSS functionary in the programme," Bhan said and added that some people had met him and shown the book and requested me to release it.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) wrote aletter to the President of India taking a strong objections to holding such a function in the premises of Raj Bhawan.

Senior Congress leader and former U P Governor MotilalVora said the premises of a constitutional head should not (not) be used for such purposes. "Such an act is certainly violative of the constitutional provisions and also of the August office."