Bhagwat misquoted; we are not against women: RSS

Following widespread criticism of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for his comment that women must restrict themselves to household work, the saffron outfit on Monday stated that he had been misquoted by the media.

Terming the reports in the media as attempts to deliberately bring a bad name to the nation and the organization in particular, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said, "Mohan Bhagwat ji never said what has been attributed to him. The RSS firmly believes that marriage is religious in nature. It is sacrosanct. We are not against women taking part in the uplift of the country."

Addressing a gathering in Indore, Bhagwat had reportedly stated that marriage is a social contract where the wife is supposed to look after household chores and the husband expected to earn.

He also said that marriage could be called off in case either violated this contract.

Bhagwat's second controversial statement came within days of his saying that rapes occurred in 'India' and not 'Bharat'