Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'There is nothing wrong if BJP and RSS meet and talk' that was published in Newsband

There is nothing wrong if BJP and RSS meet and talk

There was a samanvay baithak, or coordination meeting, between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Not just senior BJP leaders who were in attendance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and most of his ministerial colleagues from the BJP lined up for the meeting. It became clear that BJP government feels it is accountable to the secretive RSS. Many people criticized and spoke bitterly against this kind of meeting taking place between RSS and BJP government. But the question is: what is wrong with such kind of meeting?  

The BJP is organically tied to the RSS. There is nothing wrong if there is sense of ownership that RSS sanghchalaks feel over this government. What should be appreciated is that ever since BJP has come to power, not once has Modi spoken the language of religious hatred and communal divisiveness, Modi was himself all political correctness.

The egalitarian ethos of our democratic edifice guarantees every one the right to debate, dialogue and discuss. The elitist intellectual class never raised eyebrows when the then PM Dr. Manmohan Singh presented accounts and reports of his government and policies to his mentor and party supremo Mrs. Gandhi. It was seen as something natural, a party leader who is also holding the mantle of central government to discuss and seek advise from the Party President. What is then legitimately wrong when the party in power discusses or debates its internal (Not official) assessment of governance in its organization and seeks suggestions. In a participative democracy, listening to all is never a problem; yielding to unfair and unethical demands is! As long as the central govt. relentlessly pursues its core agenda of development, national progress and rule of the land, there should not be a prejudiced haste to add uncalled impetus to its organisational meetings where it is free to discuss.

The fact of the BJP rulers interacting with their parent organisation RSS is no secret and known to all. The Press is at least able to take exception to it saying that the "RSS is seeking to appropriate for itself the role of an extra-constitutional super-parliament". Extra-constitutionalism as a governing tool was introduced in the country only during Indira/Sanjai Gandhi time and how it reached its zenith during UPA I and II is too well known. When the kind of extra-constitutionalism that was being practised by UPA I and II is compared, the Samanvay baithak of the BJP would pale into insignificance for any unbiased observer.

This baithak is only to take stock of how the ruling party is going about implementing party programmes and whether any course correction is needed etc. It is not for sharing official secrets with the Sangh or such unacceptable purposes. People should not get into controversy regarding who consults whom. We want good governance. The RSS is a national organization and mother of BJP. So, they consult and obey their mother.

What about the government led by Congress for 10 years? Who was their mother? The then PM was accountable to a single person of foreign origin. I think, it is better to work in collaboration with a national level organization than to work at the instance of a single person. Are RSS people not the citizens of India? Every government must share its achievements and future plans with the citizens. That is what government has done. Everybody is a citizen first and member of any organization afterwards. It is good that the present ruling party is overseen and guided by a large organization compared to the previous government which took directions from members of a family. So, let us think rationally, not emotionally. Set aside your cherished prejudices and think in the national interest.