New Delhi, May 03: India’s radical Hindu outfit Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS, or National Volunteer Corps) refuted allegations of its involvement in a 2007 blast at a revered Muslim shrine in northwestern Ajmer, which killed three people.
The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in northwestern Rajasthan state said that they have arrested two suspects named Chandrashekhar and Devendra Gupta in connection with the blast that rocked the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty in Ajmer town of the state.
Police claimed that the two suspects had links with the RSS and another Hindu outfit, ‘Abhinav Bharat Sangathan’.
RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said that their group was being dragged into the case to malign its image.
“Some people are accused in the case and we also want a probe into the matter to unravel the conspiracy and want that those responsible for the act must be brought to justice. But it is not good to drag the name of our group as our organization never permits such acts… We also want that innocent people must not be punished and if police have some evidence against them the guilty must be brought to justice,” said Ram Madhav, addressing reporters in New Delhi.
A small bomb had exploded just after evening prayers on October 11, 2007 at the famed Muslim shrine of Ajmer Sharif resulting in death of three and injuries to 17 others.
The shrine, which contains the tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Muslims in India.
Hindus and Sikhs also visit the shrine, which lies some 350 kilometres (215 miles) southwest of the national capital New Delhi, and is regarded as a symbol of communal harmony.
-Agencies