Watch how Pranab Mukherjee's decision to attend a RSS event has triggered a controversy

Former president Pranab Mukherjee’s decision to attend a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event has triggered a controversy. Congress leader and former union minister CK Jaffer Sharief wrote to Mukherjee urging him to reconsider his decision in the ‘interest of secularism’. The Congress has so far refrained from commenting on the issue. The former president will address the Third Year Sangha Shiksha Varga (SSV), which is held at the RSS headquarters annually in Nagpur. Sharief said, “His decision to go to RSS is surprising and shocking. Being a Congressman life-long, going to RSS suddenly like this...he can’t ignore his background. He didn’t take anyone into confidence, he’s suddenly going”. Sharief said that Mr. Mukherjee once called Sangh the “worst” outfit which was “communal”, “anti-national” and “unpatriotic”. The RSS, however, praised the 82-year-old leader for accepting the invite saying, “This isn’t surprising for those who know and understand the Sangh, because RSS has always invited prominent people of the society in its programmes. This time, we invited Dr Pranab Mukherjee and it’s his greatness that he has accepted our invitation.”