Malkani, New Delhi
The Statesman
May 28, 1999
Title: Tagore, RSS and Hindutva (letter) Author: Malkani, New Delhi Publication: The Statesman Date: May 28, 1999 Explaining why he stayed away from Rabindra Sadan, Calcutta, where the Prime Minister released a collection of cassettes, books and CDs featuring Tagore's works, West Bengal's acting Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya, said: "As Prime Minister, he can release any book or cassette, but I cannot share Rabindranath with a person who believes in Hindutva and who said RSS is his soul' (21-22 May). I don't know how much our Marxist friends understand Marx, but they certainly do not understand Hindutva and RSS, Tagore and Vajpayee. It was Tagore who, in a memorable ode to Shivaji said that Bengal had not understood him when he had come to liberate it in the 18th century, but that now it was wide awake to his role as National Liberator. He added: "That day we did not pay you heed. But today we will obey your command with bowed head. By your dhyanamantra, all Bharat shall mingle together heart to heart and neck to neck. The rig of the recluse and the faith of the poor shall we raise as our standard. We shall stand by your great slogan: "Eka Dharmarajya habe a Bharate" (Let there be one Dharmarajya in Bharat). "With the Mahrattas, oh ye Bengalees, say with one voice: 'Jayatu Shivaji!' With the Mahrattas, oh, ye, Bengalees, get together in festivity. Today in the same meeting let the east and west, the right and left, of Bharat enjoy together one glory, one name auspicious." In the light of the above, would the Hon'ble Buddhadev tell the difference between Tagore and RSS and Hindutva.
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