RSS asks govt to check 'anti-national' activities in varsities

RSS today asked the government to check "subversive" elements indulging in "anti-national" activities in universities for long and questioned how slogans calling for break-up of the country made in JNU can be tolerated.

"We expect the central and state governments to deal strictly with such anti-national and anti-social forces and ensure the sanctity and cultural atmosphere by not allowing our educational institutions to become centres of political activities," the RSS said as its top brass began a three-day brainstorming session today.

The meet of BJP's idealogical mentor assumes importance in the backdrop of Narendra Modi government facing flak over handling of JNU row, dalit student's suicide in Hyderabad, allegations of saffronisation of education and the debate over intolerance ahead of crucial assembly elections.

BJP President Amit Shah was present at the opening of the meet of Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha which is attended by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh's top leaders including its chief Mohan Bhagwat.

In its annual report presented at the meeting, the RSS also expressed concern over terror attack in Pathankot and called for a review of the efficiency of the security forces, their material and officers in-charge and steps to check illegal migration and Pakistan-inspired terrorism.

It termed the violent quota agitations in Gujarat and Haryana as not only a challenge to the administrative machinery but also a threat social harmony and trust.

Referring to Malda episode in West Begal, where a mob allegedly burnt down a police station, the Sangh fountainhead decried attempts to create "atmosphere of fear" as it asked political parties to give up their "policy of appeasement" and take such incidents seriously.

"Reports about anti-national activities in certain universities have become a matter of concern for the patriotic people.

"In the name of freedom of expression, how can the slogans calling for breaking up and destruction of the nation be tolerated and how can the guilty, who had hatched the conspiracy to blow up Parliament, be honoured as martyrIJ" the RSS said.

The RSS said that those who do such things have no faith in the Constitution, judiciary and Parliament and "such subversive elements have made these universities the centres of their activities for long".

"When they find certain political parties supporting such anti-national elements, the concern (of patriotic persons) grows further," the report said.

"Incidents of violence and terror attacks have become a matter of grave concern. Under the pretext of small and big issues, people armed with weapon take to the roads creating atmosphere of fear, as has happened in Malda, and it has become endemic nowadays.

"Destruction of public and private properties, looting and burning business establishment specially those run by Hinuds, has taken place. Political parties, giving up their policy of appeasement, should take such incidents seriously and cooperate to restore the law and order situation and peace," the RSS said.

The saffron outfit said it will be possible only when parties "shed their petty and parochial political interests".

"It is the responsibility of an efficient and strong government to instill confidence in the people about their security," the report said.

On the violence during quota agitation, it said, "There should not be injustice or oppression of anybody, but the society should be vigilant and the administration should take strict action on the persons and organizations engaged in anti national activities in a planned manner."

It also said there should not be any politics on a "sensitive" issue like entry of women in temples and it should be resolved through discussion instead of agitation.

"Because of some unfair traditions, at certain places there has been a lack of consensus on the question of temple entry.

"Such sensitive issues should be resolved through discussion and dialogue and not through agitations," it said.

RSS said that both men and women have been permitted entry into the temples without any discrimination and even women have been learning the Vedas and officiating as priests in temples in the natural course.

 The report asserted that joint efforts of social and religious leadership and the temple administration were needed to bring about a change in mentality at every level.

On the security situation, it said even though security forces have been successful in repulsing terror attacks, it is necessary to further tighten security arrangements so as to ensure that incidents like Pathankot strike do not recur

"To curb illegal migration, Pak-inspired terrorism and other such activities, it is necessary to review the infrastructural facilities to develop border areas, border security and the materials from time to time," the RSS said.

During the three-day session, deliberations will be held on issues of education, medical facilities and health, and social harmony, the outfit said.

Reservation and construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya could be also discussed if they are raised at the meeting, Krishna Gopal, Sah-Sar Karyawah of the RSS, said today.

Discussions on changing the trademark RSS uniform or 'Ganvesh' are also likely to take place.