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CoverStory IDEOLOGY

COW VIGILANTISM RSS chief said, without naming the Bharatiya Janata
At the end of the conclave, Bhagwat replied to most Party (BJP) or any of its leaders.
questions and tried to dispel several myths about the “We speak about interests of the nation and if we
RSS like its views on cow vigilantism. He said that have strength, then we push for what we consider
violence cannot be tolerated and there should be to be right. There is nothing to hide here. We do it
strict action against any such acts. “Taking law into openly,” he said. “We never ask a volunteer to work
one’s own hands is a crime and such criminals for a political party. But we do say that they should
should be punished but there should be protection back those who are working for the nation and have
for cows,” the RSS chief added. Bhagwat, however, a dream for the nation. Anyone (political party) can
have such a policy. It is not that only one has it and
another cannot have so.”
CPI(M) claims that ADVISING POLITICAL PARTIES
Without naming the BJP, which is ideologically
Bhagwat merely affiliated to the RSS, Bhagwat said his organisation is
often asked about its political ambitions, why so
reiterated RSS’s many of its people are in one party and what is its
association with politics. “It is asked why so many
long-held position that of them (RSS workers) are one party. This is not our
concern. Why they do not wish to be associated with
asserts India to be a other parties is for them to consider. We never ask
a swayamsewak to work for a particular political
Hindu Rashtra and not a party,” he said. The opposition has often accused the
RSS of actively interfering in politics through the BJP,
with Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleging that
Secular Nation as stated the organisation seeks to capture institutions with
help from the Modi government.
In the BJP, which Mr Bhagwat did not refer to
by the Constitution directly, he said many leaders are older and senior
and envisioned by our to him and have more experience in politics than he
has in the RSS. “If they need advice and seek it, then
Freedom Movement. we give them,” he said, adding that the RSS wants the
BJP to work autonomously. “The centre of power will
remain as has been decided by the Constitution,” he Violence on cow
clarified, adding that his organisation considers it must be punished,
says RSS chief
wrong if it is dictated from the outside.
“The Sangh is wedded to national interest, and is
said that ‘Gau raksha’ can also be done in a constitu- does not believe in nursing enmity with one or hav-
tional way by keeping cows first. Bhagwat also high- ing special friendship with another,” he claimed. “It the society in the right direction. We believe in an We should respect all languages.”
lighted that many Muslims in the country run cow works for man-making but what its volunteers will India which includes everyone and does not exclude The RSS mega three-day conclave appeared all
shelters. This came as a direct contradiction to the do, it their decision,” he said, claiming that no office- anybody. That is why we try to approach everyone. about inclusivity and an attempt to shed negativity
recent remarks by RSS leader Indresh Kumar who bearer of the RSS can hold a position in a politi - For the sake of uniting the society, no one is stranger about the organisation. While talking about wom-
had said earlier that “Mob lynching can’t be wel - cal party because it has decided to keep away from to us, not even those who are opposed to us.” en empowerment, he said, “In earlier times, when
comed…if the practice of eating cow meat is stopped, politics since its inception. “The nation does not rise On casteism, he said, “Our nation needs to rise women were forced to stay inside their homes, the
many such crimes of the ‘Satan’ could be stopped.” from any single individual, institution, organisation above caste barriers. The RSS does not believe in responsibility of their security lay with their fami-
Speaking on communal politics, Bhagwat appar- or government,” Bhagwat said, adding that when the casteism. Inter-caste marriages are the most com- lies. But now that women are stepping out and have
ently not only targeted the Congress but also BJP’s entire society sacrifices for the nation, it is only then mon among RSS volunteers.” Bhagwat also men- equal rights, it will be necessary to make them strong
top leadership of Modi and Shah. “The politics of that its destiny changes. tioned the importance of language in his speech and independent enough for their security.”
shamshaan, qabristan, bhagwa aatankwad is done by and spoke of the different languages in India. “Don’t
those whose only aim is to be in power. They need to DIVIDED WE FALL be hostile against foreign languages but we have WOOING MINORITIES
re-think this,” he said. Countering allegation that his organisation acts as to learn our mother tongue. People from Hindi- One can safely draw a conclusion that Bhagwat
Earlier during the event, Bhagwat had clarified a divisive force in the country, Bhagwat said, “RSS speaking regions in India should learn a language tried to shed the Sangh parivar image of being anti-
that the RSS never asks it volunteers to work for a keeps away from politics but has views on issues of from another region in the country. This is a way to minority. He also said that per se he was not against
political party. The 93-year-old organisation does not national interest. We do not want to dominate the encourage unity in diversity. There should be one reservations but against politics over it. Bhagwat
give advice, but offers suggestion if it is sought, the society. The Sangh wants the common man to lead common language that unites all regions in India. said, “Reservation should continue until those who

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