Obituary: Balasaheb Deoras

While I thank you for bringing to your readers' attention the life of Balasaheb Deoras, I cannot help but feel that your obituary [by Kuldip Singh, 18 July] was unjustly critical of his work and the organisation to which he dedicated his whole life, writes Pratish Sthankiya. Claims that the RSS is a neo-Fascist organisation which was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi are both insulting and offensive.

The RSS has over 20,000 service and humanitarian projects operating in India in order to raise the standard of living. Such projects include providing medical and educational aid in some of the poorest parts of India and are overseen by unpaid workers.

Furthermore, over three decades, three national inquiries have completely exonerated the RSS from any involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Given these facts, one cannot label the RSS as "neo-Fascist", a title which is usually reserved for organisations such as the National Front, BNP or the Ku Klux Klan.

In the minds of millions of Indians, Balasaheb Deoras will be remembered alongside many other great and noble men and women in Indian history.