RSS denies terror charges, terms it a political conspiracy

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday denied its involvement in any terror strike following allegations levelled against its chief Mohan Bhagwat by terror accused Swami Aseemanand.

"This is a political conspiracy. Aseemanand has clarified he never said this. We have to see the timing," said RSS leader Ram Madhav.

"We condemn this attempt to bring back the false allegations. Such false allegations were made earlier to defame RSS leadership but they were proved to wrong," he said.

"Aseemanand, in the court and outside, denied making such statements. Questions arise on the authenticity of the interview. The timing of the interview poses a political conspiracy," he added.

Swami Aseemanand, accused in the blasts in the Samjhauta Express (February 2007), Hyderabad Mecca Masjid (May 2007) and Ajmer Dargah (October 2007), has claimed that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had "sanctioned" the attacks.

A report in The Caravan magazine quoted Aseemanand as saying that Bhagwat, then RSS general secretary, told him that the blasts should not be linked to the Sangh. "

Aseemanand told The Caravan that Bhagwat said of the violence, 'It is very important that it be done. But you should not link it to the Sangh'," said a press release issued by the magazine on Wednesday.