RSS slammed for portraying Swami Vivekananda as 'Hindutva' pioneer

Speaking at a function organised by RSS's cultural forum Bharatheeya Vicharakendram (BVK) here last evening, the octogenarian leader said Vivekananda was in fact a sharp critic of the "life negating idealism of exploitative casteism of the Hindu religion."

He was speaking at the book release of "Swami Vivekananda and Kerala".

Achuthanandan, however, patted BVK and its director and Sangh ideologue P Parameswaran for bringing out a comprehensive volume on the saint-philosopher which not only reflected the RSS's approach but also accommodated the perspective of others on the life and work of Vivekananda.

"The Sangh Parivar has always tried to confine Vivekenanda in a narrow chamber. They say he is the acharya of Hindutva.

Of course, he worked for the unity of Hindu religion and for reforming it. But his greatness is that he lashed out at the life negating idealism and exploitative casteism of the Hindu religion," the CPI (M) leader said.

Recalling that it was Vivekananda who famously dubbed Kerala as "a lunatic asylum" because of the rigid casteism that prevailed here, Achuthanandan said during his visit to the state, he had a taste of the oppressive system as he was barred from entering a temple at Kodungallur for declining to answer priests' query to which caste he belonged.

Vivekananda also inspired the disciples of saint-reformer

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