Rise above RSS, PM

This is in reference to the article in "A Sarsanghchalak's own sarkaar" by Harish Khare (September 11). The Prime Minister and President should be above factionalism, religion and any sect or organisation. The tone of Modi during the election rallies in Bihar and other states does not behove the stature of the post he holds. He cannot make himself and his ministers accountable to a so-called cultural organisation, the RSS. The PM takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of India. He and his Cabinet are only accountable to the Constitution and the people of India. He has to step down if he wishes to promote the RSS agenda. He should not, as PM, saffronise governance by appointing sangh pracharaks as head of apex institutes or governors. No democratic government can dictate people about what to eat. 

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Capt Amar Jeet Kumar, Mohali 

Baseless dislike

''A Sarsanghchalak's very own sarkaar'' by Harish Khare smacks of his baseless dislike for the RSS and the BJP, especially Modi. In our electoral system, the percentage of votes polled by a party has no meaning except for academic pursuit. The number of seats won by any party or combination decides the winner who has the right to pursue its ideological agenda. The RSS is a grassroot organisation, which has the feel of the pulse of the nation. It is essential for inclusive governance for overall development of the nation and that exactly is its constitutional obligation.

AK SHARMA, Chandigarh

RSS, take heed

The NDA came to power with a thumping majority. The RSS may take heed to the article and not commit the folly of taking the public mandate as one for communal and caste forces to impose the Hindu culture on the country. A change is good to bring in new ideas, policies and programmes. The government should focus on more development and employment by giving up communalism. 

MANGA RAM,  Faridabad

Khattar, note

One of the 'proud products' of the sangh, CM of Haryana Khattar, should know that Haryana is deprived of electricity for an average of 10 hours a day. If this is overlooked by the government, its concern for the RSS is a red herring.

Deepak Rikhye, Seembla (Ambala)

RSS not indecent

Immoderate they may be, but terming the RSS indecent even by implication while referring to moderate and decent friends of Jaitley and Sushma is by far not decent journalism. It is unbecoming of the editor of a respectable newspaper.

JS AURORA, Chandigarh

True pen-picture

The article by Harish Khare ''Sarsanghchalak's very own sarkaar'' (September 11) is a pen-picture of the current political scenario at national level. The control of the RSS over the Modi government is like the control of Sonia Gandhi over the Manmohan government. The new regime has so far brought fear amongst the minorities with the colouring of the Indian culture and history. This is because of the extraneous influences on the constitutionally elected government. Vajpayee had a tall stature and he understood the pains of India. The Gujarat model or the Modi model, having never been diligently delineated, remains wrapped in obscurity. For a person who failed to perform his rajdharma in 2002, he should not miss the opportunity this time. History will judge him.

Surinderjit S Sandhu, Amritsar

Secular state

Harish Khare in the 'Statecraft' (September 11) has rightly observed that we are governed by the Constitution which provides freedom of following any religion without any fear and force. In this way, it is fine that the RSS has started its preaching. But it should not be thrust upon all the people by the government machinery. The RSS should not take it for granted that the whole country is its follower. 

Surinder Kumar Mahna, Karnal

Veil lifted

Harish Khare has vividly brought forth the veiled attempt of the present regime to re-colour and resurrect the educational, cultural and other institutions of our country with the intention of fulfilling the now-not-so hidden agenda of the BJP and the RSS. His ministerial colleagues are ushering in changes in the system under the guise of 'cleansing and vibrating' the system in tune with the changing needs of the time. It is done with such finesse that we are made to believe that the earlier regimes have wiped out the old tradition and values. 

Manmohan Moudgil, Panchkula

'Rashtriya Super Sentinel'

With the advent of Modi, the RSS has donned a very different ceremonial robe: that of the 'Rashtriya Super Sentinel'. Vajpayee as PM realised that he could not be a follower of the RSS ideology after the Gujarat riots. He did not allow himself to be cowered by the sentinel from the Nagpur Gharana. PM Modi has not been able to ignore the RSS diktat. The saffron hue is being noticed in many cultural and educational institutions. 

Prakash Hanspaul, Batala (Gurdaspur)

People overlooked

The editorial "Modi Govt's appraisal" (September 5) calls a spade a spade. The Constitution makes the government answerable to the people and not to any organisation. The PM and the central ministers who did not bother to share with the people their ideas on vital matters could not defy "summons" for a briefing before the RSS functionaries. The saffronisation of education and filling key posts in the top institution with RSS activist is glaring blunder committed by the Modi government. The people are increasingly feeling cheated and are bound to retaliate. 

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Unbiased opinion needed

I enjoy reading your editorials. But for the last two months, I find your views on political events and personalities biased, especially the comments on the Congress party's decision to retain Sonia as president. Remarks on Modi and the BJP seem inappropriate and uncalled for. I am not pro or against any party. But as an ardent reader, I cannot digest your inclination towards one political party. Please allow us to enjoy unprejudiced assessment of the current events presented in this newspaper which is known to be the most balanced one.

Roop Aulakh, Chandigarh

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