Author: Our Political Bureau
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: April 8, 2003
Introduction: Says RSS is an army
of self-respecting, dedicated people
Prime AB Vajpayee today put on the
swayamsevak 'ganvesh' (RSS outfit), if only figuratively, as he launched
an aggressive defence of the RSS as an organisation of 'disciplined and
patriotic' workers.
Speaking at a function to release
a book on RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Mr Vajpayee and deputy prime
minister L K Advani, described the RSS as an 'army of self-respecting and
dedicated swayamsevaks' tied by the common thread of Hindutva and nationalism
irrespective of their caste and economic status. Coming from someone who
is allegedly being pushed by the RSS towards the saffron frontiers, this
marked yet another contemporary instance where the prime minister has taken
pains to suggest that the distance between him and Nagpur is not as much
as it is made out to be.
Though Mr Vajpayee has described
himself as a swayamsevak innumerable times, these confessions' were often
followed by a retreat in the face of attack from 'secularist quarters'
' What is significant about the latest introduction is that it comes at
a time of the heightened focus on improving the cohesion within the diverse
Sangh Parivaar. Over the space of a month or so, the prime minister has
been to the local RSS headquarters while the Sangh bosses have reciprocated
by feting him on his achievement in becoming the first non-Congressmen
a swayamsewak at that to complete five years in office. These summit-level
powwows are taking place along with a sustained effort to improve the saffron
synergy down the line.
At the book release function here
today, organised by Publications Division of the I&B ministry, Mr Vajpayee
rebutted each and every allegation against the RSS - from its alleged 'secret
society' character to its 'fascist' orientation to its conservative outlook.
These were also rebutted earlier but often tempered by clarifications or
a silence when the adversaries attacked him.
Today, however, Mr Vajpayee balked
at those describing the RSS as a "fascist" and "secret" organisation. 'That
the RSS is fascist was said so casually that it made levelling such a serious
allegation look like a joke,' he said.