Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'BJP govt. is controlled by RSS – so what?' that was published in Newsband

BJP govt. is controlled by RSS – so what?

The influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the Bharatiya Janata Party is always greater during periods when the party is in power. It is clear that RSS exercises control over the party’s organisational affairs. The top rung of the party is packed with those from the Sangh. The RSS ensures that its writ runs where it matters: in the BJP, and in the BJP governments at the Centre and in the States. With its organisational strength, and the large number of committed cadre, the RSS is the backbone of the BJP, and not just an ideological mentor. Hence RSS leaders had to be accommodated in a big way in the decision-making structure of the party.

It is clear that RSS remote-controls the BJP government. There are members of BJP who tend to equate Hindutva with Indianness and Hindustanis (Indians) with Hindus. There is nothing wrong in it. There is also nothing wrong if RSS controls BJP. It is far better than control of a family over a party since 1947 or family politics. Indian media is fond of declaring them secular and blaming and defaming Hindus all the times.

People associated with various service wings of RSS have been seen serving downtrodden in all sorts of ways. Instead of appreciating their selfless service to the community at large, there is a section of society which sees only negative aspects only of RSS. No doubt India is a diverse country and many sects merge into it. The tolerance towards every religion is the true essence of Hinduism. But that doesn’t mean we should pamper and tolerate all unlawful activities in the name of minority appeasement.

The minorities are better off in India than minorities in other countries. We have tolerating culture and accommodating nature. We should be afraid of forceful conversions, religious fundamentalists, maoists, extremists, terrorists, jehadists, separatists and anti nationals. RSS has proved many times that they are disciplined patriotic organisation. They are the first people to come to the rescue during calamities and disasters.

Swami Vivekananda had asked those critics of Hinduism at World Parliament of Religions a question as to how much they knew about Hinduism. He had taunted 'You are criticizing Hinduism about which you do not know anything'. This is surprising. The same is the situation about these self-styled critics, journos, intellectuals, and so on, who write about RSS without knowing about it.

Well, it is better that Modi is controlled by RSS which is at least Indian rather than ex PM ManMohan Singh controlled by Sonia Gandhi.