A sad state of affairs that the Opposition leaders, instead of appreciating Bhagwat's perspicuous statement, charged him with hypocrisy
Philosopher Ali-ibn-Abi Talib once said, “do not see who is saying; see what is he saying!” The Rig Veda says, “let noble thoughts come from all corners”.
At an event of a book release organized by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, held in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, RashtriyaSwayamsewakSangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat urged Muslims not to get “trapped in the cycle of fear” about Islam being in danger in India. He said those asking Muslims to leave the country cannot call themselves Hindus and those indulging in lynching people in the name of cows must know that they are against Hindutva. The DNA of all Indians is the same.
Asserting that it is not image makeover or vote bank politics for the RSS to woo Muslims ahead of assembly elections, Bhagwat said his organization firmly believes that in a democracy like India, the only dominance can be of Indians, rather than Hindus or Muslims.
A day after Bhagwat’s rhetoric, opposition leaders questioned the motive behind such remarks. They pointed out that the Sangh Parivar, BJP, and the government speak differently on the matter.
Congress said if Bhagwat is true to his words, he must give directions that all those BJP leaders who “harassed” innocent Muslims be removed from their posts. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, “Mohan Bhagwat Ji, will you pass on these views to your disciples, preachers, Vishwa Hindu Parishad/Bajrang Dal workers also? Will you pass on these teachings to Modi-Shah Ji and BJP chief ministers also?”
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and BSP supremo Mayawati were equally critical of Bhagwat’s statement. Mayawati using a Hindi proverb said the RSS chief’s statement was like ‘muhmein Ram, bagalmeinchuri'.
It is, however, a sad state of affairs that the opposition leaders, instead of appreciating Bhagwat’s perspicuous statement, started a political game by charging him of hypocrisy, image makeover, and vote-bank politics. From a principle of reasonableness, one needs to answer whether Mohan Bhagwat, being a seasoned leader of RSS, does not have the wisdom to discern the logic of gaining handful of votes of the minority community by most likely losing votes of Hindus who may resent his words.
Opposition leaders must admit the fact that there is always room for introspection, amelioration, and realization in every man’s life. There is no fixed time or age for such realization. Valmiki had been a robber before turning into a Rishi and excelling in poetry and literature.
Emperor Ashoka had waged a destructive war against Kalinga resulting in 100,000 deaths and 150,000 deportations. He then repented his actions and converted to Buddhism. Consciousness is the essence of the self (soul). Why cannot Bhagwat’s statement be logically assumed to be a sign of transcending the consciousness of self?
For the great Buddhist thinkers, logic was the main anvil arsenal on which they forged the weapons to combat destructive criticism. Logic can serve as a cathartic in clearing the mind of the cramping effects of obstructive, cold criticism. Every human being may step in successfully from the dark tunnel of the soul to the upward path, crossing through the stages of spiritual illumination and realisation.
In addition, there are several yardsticks to ascertain the truthfulness of the RSS chief’s statement.The first test is whether Bhagwat’s rhetoric is similar to that of Yogi Adityanath and Anurag Thakur. Secondly, do his statements reveal positivity or negativity?
There can be two reactions to Bhagwat's statements from the Sangh Parivar constituents. The conglomeration of Hindutva can follow his suit and change their thought process. Or, they will distance themselves from his statements. If neither of these reactions emerges, then Bhagwat’s healthy views will fade away over time.
There is an urgent need for Hindu-Muslim unity in the national interest. Many social reformers have struggled to unite the society by cutting through religious beliefs. Mahatma Gandhi, the great integrator throughout his life, struggled to institutionalise brotherhood. He said: “By religion, I do not mean formal religion, but that religion which underlines all religions, that brings us face to face with our Maker.” He also said, “We want to reach not the dead level, but unity in diversity.”
The great reformer, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan echoed similar sentiments: “Centuries have passed since God desired that Hindus and Mussalmans may share the climate and the produce of this land and live and die on it together.” The world as such is one family and one nest.
(The writer is a legal journalist and author. The views expressed are personal.)