Author: Ma. Mohan Bhagwat
Publication: Vijayvaani.com
Date: October 17, 2010
URL: http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=1456
Vijaya Dashami is celebrated in our country with great gaiety and enthusiasm
from time immemorial as a day of victory of the "Dharma" i.e. virtue,
service and righteousness. This year the festival comes at a time when the
entire nation is heartened by the court verdict on the Rama Janmabhumi issue,
delivered on 30 September 2010.
This verdict of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad
High Court will ultimately facilitate the creation of a monumental temple
on the Rama Janmabhumi. Maryada Purushottam Rama is the manifest divine for
Hindus all over the world. At the same time He is also the manifestation of
our national culture and its honour that is at the core of our country's identity,
ethos, integrity, urge for freedom and vigour. That is why in the first copy
of our Constitution, among the pictures attested as description for the events
that reflect our ideals, aspirations and traditions, the first individual
picture that finds place after the pictures of Mohenjodaro and the life in
a hermitage, is that of Sri Rama.
The history of the Sikh Panth clearly records
Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's visit to Sri Rama Janmabhumi at Ayodhya in 1526 AD
during his all-Bharat tour. Now it has been acknowledged on the basis of historical,
archaeological and physical evidence that there existed a sacred Hindu monument
at the site of Sri Rama Janmabhumi prior to 1528 AD.
A chance ordained by destiny
The legal proceeding of Shri Rama Janmabhumi
stretched for 60 long years; this led to acrimonious disharmony, severe conflict,
and pain in the entire society. Forgetting the past, all of us have now to
come together to build a massive temple at His birthplace in Ayodhya, as Maryada
Purushottam Sri Rama represents our national heritage and honour. That would
put an end to all the pain and uncalled for controversy.
The Sangh views the verdict as an opportunity
presented by destiny to every section in our country, including Muslims, to
make a new beginning in the spirit of affectionate coexistence. Let us overcome
our petty divisiveness, obduracy borne out of prejudices, and suspicion; own
up our unique, one and only, all-inclusive and tolerant culture that inspires
in us unwavering and intense sense of patriotism and respect for our ancestors,
and preserves, promotes and validates all diversities, and come together to
build the temple at the birthplace of Sri Rama who is, in the words of late
Sri Lohia, the catalyst for the integration of the North and the South of
Bharat. This is the will of the entire society. This will has manifested amply
in the unity and restraint displayed by our society after the verdict.
Be aware of conspirators
But we also witness efforts being launched
from day one to distort this opportunity for national integration into an
instrument for achieving political self-interest by appeasement. Some people,
who have mastered the art of creating conflicts on the basis of our diversity,
using religion, region and language for the sake of securing votes, are again
resorting to petty conspiracies to destroy our social harmony in the guise
of lofty yet misleading utterances and clamour in the name of secularism.
They always create impediments in any efforts and initiatives for harmony.
There are some in our intelligentsia and the media also who, overcome by egoistic
feelings towards their own illusive thoughts and prejudices against Hindu
thought and activism in favour of Hindus, have shamelessly abandoned all concern
and fear for truth. Their sole guiding factor is their own self-interest or
business interest.
One can easily identify them by studying the
difference in their language and behaviour until 4 p.m. on 30 September, and
ever since the verdict was announced. Their attempts to create fear and mistrust
between various sections and organizations of our society always take place
in the guise of weird arguments in the name of humanity and secularism. We
must always be wary of these forces. In fact, these are the people who are
responsible for not allowing hoary ideals like universal brotherhood, harmony
and freedom from exploitation, etc., to blossom, by resorting to the use of
those very ideals for achieving their own self-interests and evil objectives.
Now it is evident that due to these very tendencies,
a dangerous conspiracy is afoot to bring into vogue words like Hindu Terror
and Saffron Terror under the pretext that some Hindu individuals were allegedly
involved in incidents of terror here and there. There are attempts to drag
the Sangh also into it. This is a sinister conspiracy to mislead Hindus through
a campaign of lies and to defame Hindu saints, noble citizens, temples and
organisations. We have not bothered to find out as to who is behind all this,
and who is going to be the beneficiary of this vilification campaign. But
what is certain is that instead of benefitting anybody, this campaign would
certainly bring disrepute to our nation and push it into serious danger.
This sinister campaign - to defame the saffron
colour that adorns our constitutionally-ordained national flag and represents
sacrifice, hard work and wisdom; the Hindu society, it's saints and sadhvis
who always stay away from such militant activities and fight the forces of
terror; our country Bharat; the swayamsevaks and Sangh-inspired organisations
that are always at the forefront helping the administration at the risk of
their own lives at the time of natural calamities and man-made disasters like
terror attacks and wars, and who are running 1.57 lakh service projects for
the deprived sections without any self-interest or discrimination - is bound
to fail. Before the judicial trial had even commenced, the media trial has
been unleashed against the Sangh by spreading canards. Those indulging in
this malicious campaign should first glance at their own defaced selves. This
is not the time to push the country into depraved electoral conspiracies.
Game of international politics in Kashmir
The crisis in Kashmir has become very serious
and complicated. Due to our negligence Baltistan and Gilgit have become a
part of Pakistan and now China is trying to complete it's encirclement of
Bharat by positioning it's army in those regions. America is moving with a
design to safely and honourably run away from Afghanistan and secure foothold
in Kashmir with the help of Pakistan. We should move fast before this shadow
of sinister international politics overtakes the Valley. We have to create
atmosphere in Afghanistan favourable to our interests and strive to turn the
situation in the Valley towards greater integration with the rest of Bharat.
This is the mandated duty of any national government towards its integral
parts. Sovereign State power of Bharat should not be seen as buckling under
the separatist sponsored stone pelters' designs. Removing Army bunkers or
reducing their powers is not going to help in protecting the integrity and
security of our country. The direction of our policies should be guided by
the unanimous resolution of our Parliament in 1994. We must not forget that
the accession of Kashmir into Bharat through the Instrument of Accession signed
by Maharaja Hari Singh is final and non-negotiable.
Separatists are a minority in J. & K.
Kashmir Valley is not the whole and sole of
J&K state. Even in the Valley, only a tiny minority clamouring for autonomy
and dreaming of azadi by promoting secessionism. Engaging and patronizing
only these secessionist groups and their leaders in various dialogues is not
going to help resolve the crisis. In fact, it will only aggravate the problem.
Besides the Valley, we have to think seriously about the problems being faced
by Jammu and Ladakh for decades, and the discrimination they are being subjected
to. We have to undoubtedly talk to the youngsters and people of the Valley
who have come under the secessionist sway. But at the same it is imperative
on our part to appreciate the feelings, needs and aspirations of various other
sections of the state, like the nationalist-minded Muslims, Gujjars-Bakerwals,
Shias, Sikhs, Hindus, including Kashmiri Pandits, and Buddhists.
There is an urgent need to pay attention to
the long-standing demands of the refugees from the PoK. Kashmiri Pandits must
be able to return to their homes and hearths with honour and safety and assured
livelihood. All these sections want complete integration of the state with
the rest of Bharat. That is why when we think of J&K, we must take into
account the security, development and aspirations of all these sections. The
dialogues taking place in the context of J&K will be representative and
fruitful only when these sections are also included and listened to.
Ever since Independence, the people of J&K
have been craving for peace and a good government that doesn't discriminate.
It is necessary to ensure that they soon get such a government and administration
which is free from corruption and discrimination.
China - a grave challenge
China, which used to equate its forced occupation
of Tibet with the Kashmir problem to justify its illegitimate action, has
now registered its presence in Gilgit and Baltistan. It has attempted to meddle
in our internal affairs by declaring that citizens of J&K and Arunachal
Pradesh needn't ask for visas to enter China. At least now there shouldn't
be any confusion or illusion in the minds of anyone about the real intentions
of China. Its military, political and economic designs to encircle, pressurize
and weaken Bharat are too glaring to be missed. In contrast, we need to do
a lot more in our military, political and economic strategy; alertness of
our leadership; preparation of the public mind, etc. Any further delay in
this matter would be tantamount to inviting grave threats to the nation in
the near future.
The Naxal trouble
China has sponsored and promoted the Maoist
insurgency in Nepal. Maoists of our country have close links with Maoists
of Nepal. The Government is stuck in internal squabbles over the question
of firmly dealing with the Maoists. We don't even see credible efforts being
initiated to make the administration transparent and accountable and speeding
up development activity in Maoist-infested areas. At times even this problem
is being used for ulterior political benefits. It will prove costly for our
national security and democracy.
Ignoring patriots in the North East
This issue is very significant in the context
of our North East also. There also, separatists get all the attention and
those loyal to the country are grossly ignored. This policy has provided a
golden opportunity to separatist-terrorist outfits like NSCN, who had lost
all public support and were almost dead, to once again raise the ugly spectres
of terror and separatism.
Arunachal Pradesh that withstood Chinese machinations
and is standing like a protective wall on our border is today a victim of
gross neglect. The patriotic people of Manipur suffered immensely from the
shortage of essential commodities when blockades were imposed for long durations
by the separatist forces, and, tired of appealing for help, have finally became
dejected and anguished. Don't our leaders realise the costs of this attitude
of pampering separatist forces and neglecting our patriotic people, especially
when our borders are in the shadow of the expansionist designs of China? Continued
negligence towards the designs and disturbances caused by foreign missionaries
has further complicated the situation.
Appeasement is dangerous
On the one hand there is vacillation and lack
of will power our ruling establishment and on the other hand unmitigated influx
of Bangladeshi infiltrators from across borders left porous even after 60
years of independence. The courts and intelligence agencies have repeatedly
asked for detection, deletion and deportation of these infiltrators. However
the experience everywhere is that our leaders at both the State and Central
levels, who stoop to any low for the sake of votes, lack the basic will power
and courage to initiate even the first step of detection.
This infiltration is completely changing the
demographic profile of the North East and the border districts of Bengal and
Bihar. It has led to a rise in fundamentalism there. Rowdy and anti-social
elements have been emboldened and the local tribes and Hindus have become
victims of highhandedness and atrocities by these elements. The latest example
of the plight of patriotic Hindus in this region is the murderous attack on
Hindus in Deganga in West Bengal. Neither the state nor central government
is bothered about the sufferings of Hindus. All that they are bothered about
is their votes. The government and policy makers have realized from several
experiences that deterioration in internal law and order situation and security
of Hindus in border districts is fraught with serious implications for our
border security. Yet there is no change in the situation.
One doubts whether the government is really
bothered about this issue at all. The way provisions have been made in the
Census data collection this time for people to claim nationality without providing
any proof, any illegal migrant could claim nationality here. All citizens
are going to get a Unique Identity Number soon. But where is the arrangement
to verify whether those securing the Identity Number are actually citizens
of our country or not? We shouldn't allow any such mistakes or casual approach
in these policy matters.
We make tall claims about creating a society
free from caste by birth identity. Then why are we making policies as part
of which, while conducting the Census, one's caste data will also be collected,
thereby reminding people of their castes once again? Renowned scholars and
social activists have appealed to the countrymen that in order to create a
united and coherent society they must declare their caste as Hindu, Hindustani
or Bharatiya. Why should the government, which is duty-bound to bring in emotional
integration, act to the contrary and ask each citizen about his caste? The
government can find other independent, temporary and limited plans to collect
the necessary data for the sake of its various schemes.
Preaching and practice
What do we claim about the future of this
nation and where are we actually leading it? The common man of this country,
whose economic well-being we all talk about, is a simple farmer, a small-time
shop owner, a push-cart vegetable vendor or a footpath trader. He is an unorganized
worker in a town or a village; he is an artisan or a tribal. But the Western
economic model that we follow is big businessmen-centric, village-uprooting,
employment-displacing, environment-destroying, high energy-consuming and expensive.
It is not centered round common man, environment-, energy- and investment-saving,
or employment-generating etc.
On one hand we talk about education for all;
on the other hand we convert education into a business and make it unaffordable
for the poor. We want our education system to impart values like humanity,
social responsibility, duty-consciousness and patriotism effectively in society.
But at the same time we have thrown out all those things that help inculcate
these values and are instead promoting books and syllabi that would only promote
a race for more money, selfishness, materialism and insensitivity. At the
root of this gap between our words and deeds is gross ignorance of and total
disrespect for the real identity of our nationhood, unity and our global mission,
coupled with our selfishness and disharmony. An alert and awakened society
that is seized of ensuring a proper mindset in the leaders of the nation and
preventing any distortions can alone salvage this situation.
Hinduness - need of the hour
The RSS has been engaged in creating individuals
capable of building such a society for the last 85 years. It is now universally
accepted and becoming more and more clear that Hindutva is the core identity
of this ancient nation, and an imperative basis for its integrity and security,
basis of the unity of society and its vigor, and the catalyst for lasting
peace in the world.
25 years ago, on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami,
from the same platform the then Sarsanghachalak Sri Balasaheb Deoras said
that secularism, socialism and democracy are still alive in our country only
because this is Hindu Rashtra. Today eminent thinkers like M.J. Akbar and
Rashid Alvi are saying the same thing. Hindutva alone can awaken us to the
underlying oneness in the manifest diversity around, protect and respect it
and organize all that diversity in one unified thread. Let Hindu society which
is the progeny of this land internalize this comprehensive, universal, welfare-oriented,
non-reactionary idea of Hindutva in thought, word and deed. Let us unite and
fearlessly proclaim loud and clear the honour of our sacred motherland Bharat,
its glorious history and traditions, and the eternal Hindu culture. The necessity
of the times makes it imperative that all of us unite. Let us get rid of selfishness
and disharmony and make all out efforts for building an eminently glorious
and victorious Bharat. Let us free the whole world from its problems and conduct
it in the path of peace. This is the one and only effective and decisive means
to successfully overcome all the difficult challenges.
The objective of the Sangh work is to impart
Hindu values and honour in every individual through daily shakha; inspire
and equip him to have a clean and selfless heart, and offer his/her entire
life for the country, Dharma and culture; and build a strong and united society.
Sangh has no other objective or ambition except to fulfill this mission. My
humble expectation and wholehearted appeal to all of you is that you should
understand this sacred mission, own it, and become a part of it.
- [The above is an abstract of the annual
Vijaya Dashami speech of the RSS Sarsanghachalak, delivered in Hindi at Reshambagh,
Nagpur, Maharashtra]
