The Janata Dal (United) on Monday said the Islamic State militant outfit is the Muslim version of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Press Trust of India reported. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, “The ISIS and RSS are competitors." The statement came a day after historian Irfan Habib (pictured above) made the same comparison, saying there was not much difference between the Islamic State and the RSS "as far as intellect goes”.

Writers and artistes met in Delhi on Sunday and alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was unable to "control its mobs". The group also rejected claims by BJP leaders that their protests have been "manufactured", or influenced by the Congress and Leftist groups. A large section of writers, filmmakers, scientists and historians have protested against what they say is an atmosphere of growing intolerance in the country, and have attacked the Centre and prime minister for not allaying these concerns.