At Nagpur conclave, RSS rallies around Modi government

The VHP also backed Bhagwat’s remarks against Mother Teresa that conversion to Christianity was the main objective behind her service to the poor.

Even as the all-important three-day RSS Pratinidhi Sabha – grand conclave of over 1,400 delegates from parent and affiliate bodies – began here on Friday, the message that has emanated from the patriarch is one of unflinching support to Narendra Modi government on all fronts, including J&K as well as Land Bill.

In the same vein, the RSS has also advised its frontal organisations opposing the government on some issues to resolve the issues amicably through a dialogue with the government, indirectly asking them to avoid confrontation.

Also virtually confirmed was the fact the RSS is set to retain Bhaiyyaji Joshi as Sarkaryawah (general secretary). “There is no need to change the general when the army is doing well,” quipped Sahsarkaryawah (joint general secretary) Dattatreya Hosbale while addressing media persons.

The “election” is likely to happen on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

The Indian Express had reported that Joshi is going to continue as Sarkaryawah and Hosbale as his deputy despite speculations to the contrary.

Hosbale also made no bones of the fact that RSS itself was in no mood to question the wisdom behind many decisions of the Modi government at least for now despite frontal organisations like Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) and Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) opposing the government’s FDI move in insurance sector, Land Bill and Make in India programme.

The general direction in which the government is working is good. And it’s there just over nine months now. It has to complete five years. So, it would not be proper to comment on performance so early on,” Hosbale said in reply to a relevant query.

Saying “we also don’t feel (release of militants) what’s happening in J&K is good”, Hosbale came out in Modi’s defence, adding, “even the Prime Minister has said what has happened is not good. There are going to be teething troubles but that doesn’t mean the government shouldn’t run. There are nationalistic forces there and we hope things will improve. We wish the government there well.”

Asked if the RSS views Land Bill as anti-farmer like the BKS feels, Hosbale said, “no. Some amendments have been made and it all depends on how the provisions are implemented. If implemented well, no injustice should be done to farmers.”

Our organisations work in different fields and are free to express their opinions. If they have any problem, they should sit with the government and resolve it in a co-oridinated (samanvay) manner,” he added.

A few days ago, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had defended Modi government saying he may have run the government the way it is being run now since the government has its own syatem of working.

On the issues of minorities, Hosbale reiterated the Sangh line of there being no entity as religious minorities in India. “All have same cultural origins no matter if they are Hindus, Christians or Muslims. That’s why we don’t feel there is anything called a minority,” Hosbale said.

He also distanced the RSS from the “ghar wapasi” campaign, saying, “the RSS is not doing any such programme. So, the issue isn’t coming up for any discussions.”

Interestingly, the RSS has avoided bringing in any resolution on politically sensitive issues in the conclave. The only two resolutions that are coming up pertain to the need to impart primary education through mother-tongue to enhance ease of learning and making Yoga more popular in the event of United Nations declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day.

Apart from this, there would be reading of reports on the outcome of the various programmes undertaken by the RSS in the different parts of the country.

Top Sangh parivar leaders like BJP president Amit Shah and VHP chief Pravin Togadiya are attending the meeting.

Source:: Indian Express