Modi, Shah can’t always help BJP win Assembly polls: RSS
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the word “nationalism” is nowadays equated with Hitler’s “nazism” or Mussolini’s “fascism” and it is better to avoid this word, stressing on using some alternative terms.
Bhagwat’s remark came amid continued protests in several cities of the country against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which is branded by those opposing the CAA as a reflection of “Hindutva nationalism” that is detrimental to Muslims.
Besides, analysing the results of this month’s Delhi Assembly polls, the BJP’s ideological mentor RSS said in an editorial in its mouthpiece on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah cannot always help the BJP win Assembly elections.
Recalling an RSS event in the United Kingdom (UK), Bhagwat said, “During my recent visit to the UK, I was advised by an RSS worker not to use the word ‘nationalism’ as English is not our language and it could have a different meaning in England. It's okay to say nation, national and nationality but not nationalism. Because it means (alludes to) Hitler, Nazism and Fascism (in England).”
Calling upon RSS members to connect with people irrespective of their caste, language, religion or region, Bhagwat said India’s characteristic is to bind everyone in one thread following the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is a family).
“We (Indians) live for each other, not for ourselves. We believe that the world has made us and we have to give back to it. We look at the world with gratitude,” he said.
Sharing an anecdote, he said, a Muslim intellectual from the country once went for Haj and was sent to jail on blasphemy charges for wearing a “locket”. The then
Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, intervened and got him released within eight days, he said, apparently suggesting that everyone from India is considered a Hindu outside the country.
“...Because Bharatiya sanskriti (Indian culture) is also known as Hindu sanskriti, reflecting its values, ethos and culture,” he said.
The RSS chief also gave a call to make India a superpower.
Bhagwat said, “The aim of the Sangh is to unite Hindu society. The Swayamsevaks are dedicated to their aim. By feeling proud of the culture of our country we have to work to take the country to new heights. We have to make India a world ‘Guru’. It is time to make India a superpower, but not like other superpowers that misuse their influence.”
He added, “What do countries do when they become the strongest? With superpower status they try to exert their influence on other countries, exploiting their resources for themselves. This is the reason researchers think that a country becoming too powerful is bad for the world.”
Bhagwat, who is on a five day visit to Jharkhand, was addressing “Sangh Samagam” of RSS volunteers on college ground of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee University, Morhabadi, Ranchi.
The meeting was attended by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Ranchi MLA and former Minister CP Singh, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth and BJP leaders, besides RSS volunteers.
The RSS chief, on the occasion, also expressed concern over environmental imbalance urging the people to work for protecting the environment. He said entire world has seen the affects of playing with environment and in present context China is an example.
Bhagwat, who enjoys Z+ security cover by a special group of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) due to the threat perception against him, reached Birsa Munda Airport on Wednesday. On Thursday apart from attending the Sangh Samagam, he also addressed a meeting on IIM campus, followed by meeting at Maheshwari Bhavan. The RSS chief will be in State capital on Friday and Saturday too and will leave for Giridih the same day.
The RSS chief visit to State assumes importance as there are around 60,000 full time RSS worker in State and the organisation is working to increase its members. In Jharkhand the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram a wing of RSS has its activities for Scheduled Tribes in remote areas of Jharkhand.
The BJP tasted defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections for the second consecutive time, increasing its tally from three to just eight seats, while Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) scooped 62 of 70 seats.
The article in The Organiser said, “...the apparent failure of BJP to revitalise the organisational structure at the grassroots level after 2015 and building up of the campaign on in the last leg of the elections were the two major reasons for defeat in the well-fought out battle. But Narendra Modi and Amit Shah cannot always help out in the Assembly level elections and there is no option but to rebuild the organisation in Delhi to address the local aspirations of the masses is the clear message,” it added.