Vijay Dashami: Demons that India Must Fight!

Election results of the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir assemblies have unleashed a wave of analysis on what drives the Indian voters. That all poll pundits got the mood of the masses wrong is no longer a matter of concern. What intrigues the political discourse in India is how effectively Indian voters identify pre-existing dominance and are unwilling to be subjugated again. RJD, Congress, and Leftist combine were marching ahead in Bihar assembly elections with near dominance, but one slogan killed it for the alliance Jangle Raj. Almost 4 years later, in a completely different landscape, ‘Jat dominance & allied fear of atrocities’, killed the winning formula of Congress in Haryana. What does this tell us? It’s a clear statement of the majority of Indian voters: dominant, assertive, aggressive and divisive politics has no place…

A thought so well framed and promulgated by the RSS Sar Sangh Chalak, Mohan Bhagwat, during the Dussehra speech at RSS headquarters in Nagpur. To the critics, the presence of former ISRO chief, K. Radhakrishnan at the annual Dussehra congregation, would have hardly cut the ice. Yet, Mr. Radhakrishnan’s attendance shall draw the attention of the entire scientific community, including the left-oriented intellectual class, which never hesitates to express its disaffection over lack of scientific orientation, when it comes to RSS.

So, what draws me to some selected nuances of Mr. Bhagwat’s speech. His unabashed earnestness in putting the nation first is infectious.

DIVISION WITHIN THE COUNTRY

“Incidents of fanaticism are rising across India, with violence used to express dissatisfaction with government policies. This orchestrated hooliganism is spreading fear and damaging the nation’s fabric. Disturbances are reported in Punjab, J&K, Ladakh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and across Purvanchal from Bihar to Manipur. Democratic means, not violence, should be used to voice concerns.”

Challengers of the right ideology might suggest that Mr Bhagwat has named all regions and states not presently governed by the Bharatiya Janta Party. But, isn’t the threat enumerated by him a reality? Isn’t the case illegal migration of Bangladeshi Muslims around the border regions of Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and northeastern states a matter of national security? The overt demographic change palpable in tribal regions of Jharkhand is a matter of concern. Naturally, the BJP has made illegal migration of Bangladeshi Muslims a prime poll issue and is promising NRC, if voted to power. Given the spate of communal riots in the region over the last 4 decades, Jharkhand is a sitting time bomb. The ongoing fight unto death between Kukis & Meitei in Manipur, fanned by Chinese proxies in Myanmar, is another example.

DIVISION WITHIN THE SOCIETY

“Concepts like Deep State and Cultural Marxism are shaping minds, eroding education, media, and societal values. They fuel discontent, deepen social divides, and spread fear and anarchy. This paves the way for destructive forces to gain control, threatening a nation poised to become a global leader, a Vishwa Guru.”

Look no further, and one shall find streaks of these traits in the utterances of the Leader of Opposition, Mr Rahul Gandhi. While he sought a caste census in India, his own party and his own grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi rejected the idea 3 decades ago. Mr. Gandhi prepares a meal with a Dalit activist in his kitchen but doesn’t mind a Jat preponderance in Haryana.

Every non-BJP political party espouses the threat posed to Indian Constitution, by the RSS-BJP combine. A shorter version of the constitution in the form of a black book, is flagged at every political rally held by the opposition parties. But, do these political outfits, acknowledge the essence of our Constitution? Read through these lines of RSS Pramukh Mr Bhagwat and you shall decipher, what I am indicating…

CONSTITUTION PROPRIETY

“Law and Constitution are tools of social discipline. We the people of Bharat have committed to the constitution. Keeping in mind this first line of the preamble, we should discharge our duties as well. Rules and regulations must be adhered to, in totality. The four aspects of the Constitution should be well publicised, which are, the preamble, the guiding principles, fundamental duties and fundamental rights. Regardless of the provocations, it is important and mandatory to follow law and order, abide by the Constitution, and maintain discipline”.

And how shall the constitutional obligation be fulfilled in our nation, the prescription suggested by Mr. Bhagwat, shall never be acknowledged by those opposing the concept of nationhood. Quoting Mr Bhagwat, “Pride in one’s own distinctness and sensitivity towards them is natural. But it’s true that every section of a diverse society can’t feel happy about everything that happens. It is not that acts causing displeasure are enacted by the entire community. The actions of a few can’t be termed as the actions of the entire community. By resorting to violence, creating disturbances through illegal or violent means, holding the entire community responsible is neither prescribed under law nor is beneficial for the country”.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Ajay Kumar The writer is Political Commentator & Journalist