‘Adarsh liberals’ foxed by Azim Premji’s RSS attendance

Wipro Chief Azim Premji’s attendance and speech at an RSS function has clearly foxed the ‘Adarsh Liberals’.

That one of the country’s foremost Muslim icons should have broken bread with the bete noire of the secular brigade has led to consternation and confusion.

The ‘Liberals’ came hard on Premji for “legitmising” the RSS, by deigning to attend and speak at the function. This was even after he clarified that by attending the event,he was “not endorsing the ideology” of the RSS.

Azim Premji attends RSS event, says accept India as pluralistic nation http://t.co/B7mNLNRX0v #AzimPremji @wiprosoft pic.twitter.com/o4N1RWJfwp

— IndiaTomorrow.co (@IndiaTomorrow10) April 6, 2015

Azim Premji has legitimized RSS, let down thousands of young people who thought he believed in a plural cosmopolitan secular India.Shame

— N.Madhavan Kutty (@nandeilath) April 6, 2015

@offstumped Azim should NOT have attended RSS function,RSS attacks middle&poor class muslims as TERRORISTS but for MONEY wants rich

— Dr.Sachintripathi (@DrTripathiji) April 6, 2015

But soon, the “Adarsh Liberals” were pushed on the back foot, with tweets coming in, in support of Premji’s gesture. The broad sentiment was that blackballing organisations is ‘illiberal’ and Premji had chosen well by attending; but at the same time, letting his independent views also be known.

Can't understand ruckus over Azim Premji at RSS meet. U can disagree, argue with ideologies, but blackballing them, or hiding also illiberal

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) April 6, 2015

Kudos to Azim Premji, true liberal, for addressing meet organised by diametric opposite ideology group. Thank you, Mr Premji.

— Devashis Chatterjee (@devcgeo) April 6, 2015

What's wrong if Azim Premji attended RSS event? Stupid Media's manufactured controversy to again divide Hindus and Muslims. #BanPaidMedia

— Devika (@Dayweekaa) April 6, 2015

One doesn't have to agree to, or hate the RSS to be a practicing Musli;, that's what Azim Premji is declaring to the MSM.

— Prasanna Karthik R (@prasannakarthik) April 6, 2015

#AdarshLiberal Learn .Disagree but don't distance @timesofindia: Wipro chairman Azim Premji attends RSS function, http://t.co/3dkoc2XZPK"

— Arshit Pathak (@arshpath) April 6, 2015

Nothing surprising,one need not look into these issues frm political prism: GVLN Rao, BJP on WIPRO Chairman Azim Premji attends RSS function

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 6, 2015

Azim Premji gesture shows why Ribeiro Sushil Kumar were wrong http://t.co/j5VPxt15By pic.twitter.com/UkQkHndyND

— Offstumped Report (@offstumped) April 6, 2015

Why Azim Premji attending RSS function creating ripples? Both r working in social sector. Good for the country.

— AMIT KUMAR (AB+) (@amitorg) April 6, 2015

 Text of Azim Premji’s full speech at the RSS function in New Delhi