HVK Archives: Hindutva at the centre stage of Bharatiya politics
Hindutva at the centre stage of Bharatiya politics - Organiser
Posted By Krishnakant Udavant (kkant@bom2.vsnl.net.in)
January 11, 1998
Title: Hindutva at the centre stage of Bharatiya politics
Author:
Publication: Organiser
Date: January 11, 1998
The RSS Sarkaryavah, Shri H.V. Seshadri, is one of those
swayamsevaks who have witnessed the ups and downs in the Indian
politics scene over the years. In view of the emerging equations,
the veteran swayamsevak spoke to Organiser on the Hindutva
content of the changing political scenario. Excerpts.
What is your assessment of the present social scene? In your
opinion, is there an attitudinal change towards the concepts of
secularism, communalism, etc?
People have woken up to the realities, of the situation. There is
a marked change which could even be a watershed in the Bharatiya
political situation. What was secularism? It only meant anti-
Hindu postures, appeasement of the so-called minorities,
especially Muslim and Christians, at the cost of Hindus. Now
people have woken up to the reality: How the leaders had been
fooling them all these years through the high-sounding slogans of
secularism and all that. Now they have seen through the parties.
Till now, the so-called secularism as against communalism was the
pet slogan of all the non-BJP political parties including the
Congress and in turn the BJP was considered a political
untouchable. Now even the non-BJP persons treat the Congress as a
political untouchable. People have realised what true secularism
is. It is nothing but Hindutva, implicit in which is the security
and welfare of all sections of people. Hindutva has come to the
centre stage of Indian politics.
Does it mean that the days of vote-bank politics are over?
Indeed a major change has come about. For long the so-called
secular groups relied on vote-banks, particularly of Muslims and
Christians. Consequently the Muslim and other minority pressure
groups became the arbiters of the nation's political destiny. Now
that psychology has undergone a complete change. The political
parties as well as the masses have realised the true role of
Hindus as the real makers of the nation's political destiny. This
has indeed made a lot of difference,
Do you think vote-bank politics is a recent phenomenon?
Actually it is a colonial hangover. During the Freedom Movement,
the British played the communal card and our leaders too, fell
prey to their machinations. The same mindset continued even after
Independence. Political leaders singing paeans to the
Constitution declared that the problem of minority and majority
had been buried for ever. When, however, the Congress began to
lose its popularity, it revived the old policy of appeasement of
minorities, especially that of Muslims. The Communists and other
variants of the Congress like the JD, UF, etc, are no exception.
This in turn nurtured a separatist attitude among the Muslims.
As the Muslim leaders whetted this separatist mindset, the
problem began to aggravate or else issues like the
Ramjanmabhoomi, Kashi, Mathura and others could have been solved
long ago, just like Somnath.
Of late many Muslims are joining the BJP. Does it indicate any
important change in the Muslim mindset?
Before the British came to Bharat, the common Muslim masses were
living happily with the Hindus and worked in collaboration with
the Hindus. Even after Independence, Muslims in many rural areas
lived. in peaceful coexistence with Hindus. It was only the
British and some 'secular' parties that played the appeasement
card and tried to aggravate the fundamentalist section to drive a
wedge between the two major communities for their own benefit.
Before Independence, the Muslims were offered crutches by the
British. After they left, the pseudo-secularists offered the
same. But now without that artificial political support, they are
slowly realising the hard reality that their interests he in
going along with the Hindus in a true spirit of equality and
harmony. It is a healthy trend that the Muslims are now coming to
the mainstream.
Do you mean to say there is a collective change of heart?
Well, all political parties, particularly the party that aspires
to come to power should be cautious as some self-seeking
'leaders' are bound to try their hand at divisive politics for
whatever it is worth.
If pandering to Hindus' interest is not communal how could
appeasement of Muslims by the Congress be termed communal?
Where is pandering of Hindus? Hindus have never demanded
exclusive concessions for themselves. They have stood for the
common benefit, whereas several concessions have been given
exclusively to Muslims and Christians. This kind of separatist
demand has never been put forward by Hindus.
Does it meant that there should be a set of Hindu demands as a
sequel to the concessions to protect minority interests?
It is not the question of Muslim or Hindu interest. In fact
there is only national interest. And Hindu interest is national
interest. Hindus only demand that there should be no
discrimination on the basis of religion and such other factors.
But certain Hindu elements inherent in Bharatiya tradition should
be upheld.
How important is the Ramjanmabhoomi movement for Independent
India? Do you consider it an exclusive event?
Ayodhya is not an exclusive incident in the odyssey of the
ongoing Hindu Renaissance. But it certainly is the high point of
a centuries-old struggle, a situation which has been developing
and ripening for several decades. Swami Vivekananda, Sri
Aurobindo and many others gave a decisive message of Hindu
nationalism. But forces representing this resurgence remained
eclipsed for long. As a result, Hindu interest remained neglected
for a long time. The RSS picked up the thread and resuscitated
the national spirit through tens and thousands of shakhas, its
multifarious seva projects, various leading organisations engaged
in student, labour, farming, education, vanavasi fields. This
resurgent spirit of national assertion finally found a historic
expression in the Ayodhya movement which Shri Girilal Jain
described as the most significant event after Independence.
The RSS holds the view that Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi is not a
political but a national question. Please comment.
Well, the Muslims seem to be perturbed by the VHP demand for the
liberation of Mathura, Kashi and the rebuilding of the temple at
Ayodhya. Let the Muslims, for a moment, forget VHP, RSS, etc.
Year after year, millions of ordinary Hindus from all over the
country visit these places of reverence and see before their eyes
the desecration of the holiest of their places. They naturally
feel humiliated and insulted. They seek to know as to why the
present Muslim generation should identify itself with the
barbaric invaders of the past. How can they gain the confidence
of the Hindus this way?
A number of important leaders from other parties are joining the
BJP. Do you foresee new entrants creating problem s for the BJP?
There were a number of people who wanted to join the BJP, but
could not do so due to political compulsions. Now, they are
joining the BJP. Of course, there always will be some elements
who would like to go along with the party in power. The BJP
leaders are aware of the challenge and their priorities. I am
sure the BJP will not compromise with its principles for the sake
of convenience. The BJP members are also well aware of their
political convictions. Many of them have been trained by the RSS
and they would never swerve from their path, only to enjoy
political power.
With even Congressmen joining the BJP, the party is criticised as
being "Congressized"?
Unfortunately, the Congress has not only spoiled its own image
but has also brought disrepute to the class of politicians
leading to loss of credibility of the political system itself.
This credibility has to be restored. The cleansing process has
to begin. All political parties should join hands to put an end
to such disrepute.
When the UF came to power. it was being said that the era of
national parties was over, Federalism was the idea that was
catching up. Comment.
This idea was put forward because none of the partners of the UF
including the Leftist. had national presence. Naturally with this
background they propounded a baseless theory. Basically, there is
no conflict between the regional and the national as nations
because all they are part and parcel of national culture and
tradition. It is an organic whole. Regional interests cannot be
divorced from national interest. The entire idea has been
distorted due to a misinterpretation of Centre-State relations.
In fact, if the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations had been
properly implemented there would have been no problem. Even now,
there are no real problems. All this has been cooked up by those
small regional satraps who have their own axe to grind. There
should be a national commitment on the part of all the parties.
Do you think that the days of coalition politics will be over, if
the BJP comes to power?
It all depends on what majority the BJP will be able to command.
In fact, the whole national psychology needs to be gradually
changed. A coalition government at the Centre is not undesirable.
The regional parties are equally patriotic. But there should be a
strong national commitment on the part of all parties that would
inspire confidence.
If the BJP comes to power what major challenges do you foresee
before the BJP?
Under pressure from the so-called developed countries, the IMF,
the World Bank, etc, national interest is being sacrificed. There
is growing unemployment. The gap between the rich and the poor is
widening. Village and small scale industries are being ruined. We
are under pressure to. amend our patent laws. In the name of
globlalisation we are losing our economic sovereignty. Whichever
party comes to power has to address itself to these challenges.
Of course, such maladies cannot be set right in a short time.
Yet, a signal must go to the world that Bharat is capable of
standing on her own feet and become self-reliant, that we can
attain glory by arousing the true spirit of nationalism.
Moreover, the mindset of bureaucrats will also have to be
changed. They are, in fact patriotic and nationalistic in their
attitude. The BJP must harness the inherent goodness and strength
of the people and give a call to put the nation on the road to
peace, progress and prosperity. As Shri L.K. Advani put it some
time ago, while answering a question to the press the real
challenge before the BJP is whether it can deliver the goods and
fulfill people's expectations.
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