Dost Khan
The interventions would have been welcome, had the RSS been administratively well poised to give a direction-direction of any consequence. The RSS did much disservice to Narendra Modi led government precisely a month ago, on December 6, when one of its hardcore wings raked up the Ayodhya issue again by transporting stones for the construction of Ram Temple. This was a huge embarrassment for the government at the Centre, which in no way will like to be a party in any misadventure, which is against the spirit of law. The Supreme Court is seized of the matter and every compatriot would wait for its decision, unless there is a mischief to rake up passions.
Who doesn’t know that RSS holds veto over all its frontal organizations, the BJP included? This being so, why does the organization always indulge in frivolous or contentious issues rather than making the government to deliver on more pressing issues, most of these concerning the national security? Recent months have witnessed Pakistan and its rogue elements spreading tentacles far beyond the boundaries of Kashmir, Pathankot being the latest battle-field. The nation is now sick of witnessing anti-national elements raising ISIS and Pakistan flags every Friday in the Valley where BJP is partnering government with PDP, courtesy Swayamsevak turned BJP-General Secretary Ram Madhav. The lust of power has taken the BJP from its basics and core, as far as its Kashmir Policy is concerned. If entering into Kashmir landscape was a compulsion for RSS, it ought to have concentrated on giving a good image of the party by placing in the ministry persons of integrity. Instead, the people of the State have been left to a lot, most of which is on a personal agenda of ‘making hay while sun is shining’. Couldn’t RSS have reined in?
Similarly, the clout of RSS as a mentor would have increased manifold, had it made or allowed the Modi Government to act against Vasundhara Raje or Sushma Swaraj, mired in controversies over the Lalit Modi issue. They are accused of quid-pro-quo and the RSS does not find it prudent to let them hang their boots till cleared of the enquiries. Same is the case with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan, who is entangled in a controversy for being in league with Vyapam Scam. If reports are to be believed, the trio is continuing to hold prestigious positions in the government because of their close proximity with Nagpur.
Again coming to the Ram Mandir issue or the unfortunate beef controversy, the image of the nation has got a nose dive in comity of nations. Doesn’t RSS recall what its Margdarshak Lal Krishan Advani had to say at Jinnah Mausoleum in Karachi over the demolition of Babri Masjid. Atal Behari Vajpayee too had to face embarrassment from time to time due to myopic role of right wing frontal organizations. The RSS has a mission… “For the welfare of entire mankind, Bharat must stand before the world as a self-confident, resurgent and mighty nation. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has resolved to fulfill this age-old national mission by forging the present-day scattered Hindu Society into an organized and invincible force both on the plane of Adhyaatma and on the plane of material life. Verily this is the one real practical world mission – if ever there was one. ..The mission of reorganizing the Hindu society on the lines of its unique national genius which the Sangh has taken up is not only a great process of true national regeneration of Bharat but also the inevitable precondition to realize the dream of world unity and human welfare. Our one supreme goal is to bring to life the all-round glory and greatness of our Hindu Rashtra”.
While pursuing this mission, can the RSS ignore demographics of 1.25 billion strong secular nation? Can it wish away the huge population, which does not believe in this mission? Is it possible to force mission-accomplishment rather than creating a situation where in India becomes a self-confident, resurgent and mighty nation? If RSS can’t do this, it will always remain a liability for the BJP instead of an asset.