In slugfest scenario, RSS presents its case

JAIPUR:The burning issues that have remained at the centre of national discourse ever since the NDA government under the dispensation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power — intolerance, uniform civil law, reservation for Muslims, changes in textbooks, Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra — and the views of RSS on these much-debated subjects were extensively explored at a discussion at Jaipur Literature Festival here on Friday.

Jaipur, January 20

The burning issues that have remained at the centre of national discourse ever since the NDA government under the dispensation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power — intolerance, uniform civil law, reservation for Muslims, changes in textbooks, Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra — and the views of RSS on these much-debated subjects were extensively explored at a discussion at Jaipur Literature Festival here on Friday.

In the closing session on the second day of the fest “Of Saffron and the Sangha”, Manmohan Vaidya, head of RSS’ communications department and Dattatreya Hosabale, the organisation’s joint general secretary, participated in a discussion with journalist Pragya Tiwari, attended by Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje among others.

Chanting Sanskrit shlokas, quoting RSS ideologues and delving on the ideology of the RSS, the two engaged in over an hour-long discussion.

On the idea of nationalism, as defined and understood by the RSS, Vaidya said: “The idea of nationalism is alien to India. RSS believes in an idea of common national identity. For RSS, it is the people that make the nation. You can join RSS and for that you do not have to leave your faith but you have to believe that there exists a way of life beyond your faith too.”

On intolerance, Vaidya said: “People have diverted from core issues so there are problems. Intolerance exists among those who are against Hindutva and diversities.”

On reservation for minorities, particularly Muslims, he said: “It has been widely held that no reservation should continue for too long as it begins to be taken for granted. On Muslims, we have seen that 68-70 per cent of them live in Bengal, Bihar and UP, which in themselves are very ‘pichre’ (backward) regions. So their poor socio-economic status is well understood.”

Hosabale condemned the acts of violence by affiliates or supporters of the RSS. “Any violence is wrong and especially if it is against any particular community. No question of condoning because the RSS has never supported violence.”

It is for the first time that the RSS occupied a prominent place at the festival. It has drawn flak on the social media for this. JLF producer Sanjoy Roy said it was done to ensure that “the festi is open to all voices.” — IANS