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With polls nearing, RSS gives BJP a pat
March 12, 2004 11:15 IST
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Friday backed the National Democratic Alliance government to the hilt lauding it for its 'achievements' on the economic, social and diplomatic fronts.
The rightwing outfit, however, felt the benefits should reach the common man.
"India's status has continued to grow in the international arena this year also. Economic indicators project progress on the economic front too. Pakistan was compelled to talk the language of dialogue. Bharat is emerging as a strong leader of Southeast Asian countries as well as the under-developed third world countries.
"Inflation is under control, prices of commodities are stable and there is marked improvement in transport and communications. In the economic, political and even sports field, a new enthusiasm imbued with a will for victory found all over the country," RSS general secretary Mohanrao Bhagwat said in his annual report presented to the organisation's All India General Council meeting in Jaipur.
In an apparent indication that the Sangh fountainhead was not upset with the government's stand on the Ayodhya issue as was being widely speculated, the RSS leader said, "The prime minister and his deputy themselves have taken initiative to identify, isolate and marginalise the anti-Hindu schemers and evil-minded forces, and publicly declared their commitment to build a massive Ram Mandir by creating a conducive atmosphere in the country."
But Bhagwat said, "Economic policies should be such that the benefits flow to the last man and he experiences them. Real development indicators are not the figures we find in statistics but the lives of the people living in the lowest strata of the country. Following the Hindutva-inspired economic vision can only fulfil these ambitions."
"During the campaign, full steam efforts will be made by political parties to project themselves in shining light and denounce the opponents. However, people all over the country have to see the truth through this massive smokescreen of publicity and pick up the rulers for the coming five years based on their ideology, ability, character and performance," he said.
Apparently taking a dig at the 'helplessness' of RSS cadres deputed to the BJP, he said, "We also notice that after reaching the portals of power, our Swayamsewaks also get stuck in the discipline, obligations and formalities of that system. Thus, the only way to create a vibrant, cohesive and developed nation is to create a dedicated and disciplined organisation of men with sterling character and utmost commitment to the national cause.")
The RSS leader also cautioned the government against 'any complacency or satisfaction' with its achievements.
"There is a lot more to be done, a lot is still left unfinished. Political power alone cannot create a society committed to Param Vaibhav -- all round glorious development," he said.
Without naming them, the RSS leader took to task the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh for creating hurdles in VHP's programmes last October and Congress and other parties for opposing a constitutional ban on cow slaughter.
"These forces should be made to meet the same fate that the treacherous minority appeasement and Hindu bashing parties met in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," he said.
Bhagwat also appreciated the advice of the Islamic clergy of Deoband to Muslims to 'banish cow-slaughtering during Id-ul-Zuha'.
He regretted that the demand of migrant Kashmiri Hindus and patriotic people of Jammu and Ladakh for reorganisation of the state 'remained under the wraps' even as infiltration continued 'unabated' in areas contiguous to Bangladesh border in Bihar, Bengal and Northeast.
"Sustained and determined efforts are expected of the central and state governments to push back the infiltrators across the borders, and bust the anti-national communalist mafia modules operating in the border states," he said.