New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sunday distanced itself from a piece in the Panchjanya magazine, which raised questions over the functioning of software giant Infosys and suggested that an “anti-national” conspiracy may be behind glitches in the government’s income tax portal.
Sunil Ambekar, the All India prachaar pramukh (head of media and publicity) of the RSS, tweeted Sunday that contrary to popular perception, Panchjanya was not the outfit’s mouthpiece.
“As an Indian company, Infosys has made seminal contribution in progress of the country. There might be certain issues with a portal run by Infosys, but the article published by Panchjanya in this context only reflects individual opinion of the author,” Ambekar tweeted.
As an Indian company, Infosys has made seminal contribution in progress of the country. There might be certain issues with a portal run by Infosys, but the article published by Panchjanya in this context only reflects individual opinion of the author. @editorvskbharat
— Sunil Ambekar (@SunilAmbekarM) September 5, 2021
He added that articles published in the Panchjanya should not be linked to the RSS.
“Panchjanya is not a mouthpiece of the RSS and the said article or opinions expressed in it should not be linked with the RSS. @editorvskbharat,” he added.
Panchjanya is not mouthpiece of the RSS and the said article or opinions expressed in it should not be linked with the RSS. @editorvskbharat
— Sunil Ambekar (@SunilAmbekarM) September 5, 2021
The Panchjanya row
Ambekar’s clarification comes days after a a four-page cover story in the Panchjanya’s latest edition, questioned the flaws in the portal prepared by Infosys. The magazine had questioned whether anti-national forces are harming Indian economic interests through this.
The magazine, however, is standing by its report.
Panchjanya editor Hitesh Shankar told ThePrint that the report stuck to the facts.
“There is a lot of hue and cry over the cover story of the 5 September issue of Panchjanya. Everyone should read this cover story. Three things are worth noting in this context,” he said. “Panchjanya stands firm by its report. If Infosys has objections, it should present its side by urging for a more thorough investigation of these facts in the interest of the company. Some elements are mentioning RSS in this episode due to vested interests. Remember, this report is not related to the Sangh, the report is about Infosys. It is a matter of facts and facts relating to the incompetence of the company.”
A source in the RSS told ThePrint that the entire row has exposed the difference of opinion within the Sangh regarding the issue. “There have been glitches but that is a technical issue and one can claim they are not efficient,” the source said. “But to say there is an anti-national conspiracy is not right. There was a need to send out the right message and it has been done.”
(Edited by Arun Prashanth)
Also read: Nirmala Sitharaman sets 15 September as deadline for Infosys to fix income tax portal glitches
Disclosure: Infosys Co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy is among the distinguished founder-investors of ThePrint. Please click here for details on investors.