ISIS is Muslim version of RSS: Janata Dal (United)

New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) on Monday alleged that the international terrorist organisation ISIS is the Muslim version of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"The ISIS and RSS are competitors. In fact, the ISIS is the Muslim version of RSS," JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told ANI.

The remarks of the JD(U) came a day after the writers and artists alleged that the ruling BJP was unable to 'control its mobs', with historian Irfan Habib even comparing the RSS to the ISIS.

The agitating writers in a meeting yesterday sought to reject the charge that the Congress and Leftists were behind their protest against the 'growing intolerance' in the country.

Habib in his speech yesterday said that there was 'not much difference between the Islamic State and RSS as far as intellect goes'.

Scientists have also joined the protesting chorus, saying all creative people are worried if they can continue working because of the 'vulnerable' present condition where 'freedom of expression and right to create' are being suppressed.

About 53 historians, including Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, KN Pannikar and Mridula Mukherjee, have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not issuing a "reassuring statement" to allay the concerns over what they called a "highly vitiated atmosphere" prevailing in the country.

Earlier, filmmakers, including Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, returned various government awards and honours which they have received to express solidarity with the FTII students.

At least 33 Sahitya Akademi awardees had earlier returned their awards in protest against what they perceived to be a growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country under the BJP-led NDA regime.