Full text of RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat’s THE IDEA EXCHANGE Interaction

Date posted: September 8, 2012 | Short URL: http://samvada.org/?p=11926 | Share:

In this Idea Exchange, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat speaks about the RSS’s relevance in modern times, its relationship with the BJP and swadeshi in the age of globalisation. This session was moderated by Loksatta Executive Editor Girish Kuber

Courtesy: The New Indian Express

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RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat addressed in THE IDEA EXCHANGE INTERACTION organised by LOKSATTA

Girish Kuber: In the changing, modern world, what relevance does the RSS hold? How do you view problems such as the recent violence in Assam or the long-standing Kashmir dispute?

Mohan Bhagwat: In 1925, Dr K B Hedgewar started the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and finally in December 1939, the Sangh’s style of functioning was defined. A country’s future does not depend on its leaders, political parties, government or establishments. It depends on the quality and merit of the society and the extent to which it is organised. For a society to organise itself and progress, people have to come together on the basic principle of ‘self’. Even while learning from different people and cultures, the individual should realise his own nature and create a vision for society. While doing so, if merit has to be brought into society, the mind, heart and body must work together. The Sangh’s functioning has been based on these principles.

As far as the violence in Assam or Kashmir is concerned, such incidents never happen in any other country that achieved independence 65 years ago. This happens not only because we have ended up making enemies on all sides of the border, but also because the common man in this country is still not completely aware about his freedom and independence. The absence of national and personal integrity reflects in various parts of our country today.

Girish Kuber: Unlike the Left, the RSS has never entered active politics. Would it have been better to not have tried to hide the Sangh’s political leanings and the political ambitions of some of its members?

Mohan Bhagwat: The Sangh does not hide anything because it has always maintained that it has never wanted to enter politics. The poor state of our polity is not something the Sangh can change. That will only happen when society changes. Politics, today, is all about breaking and dividing the society into vote-banks. If we were to get into this mess, how would we work towards our goal of organising the society?

We have always allowed swayamsevaks to be a part of political movements and agitations, temporarily. We do not try to hide this. If there are issues pertaining to national interest that are political in nature, we have raised our voice and done what we could. It is true that there are a large number of swayamsevaks in the BJP but there are other parties too where swayamsevaks are active workers.

Girish Kuber: It is said that after Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, the Sangh went out of its way to support the Congress.

Mohan Bhagwat: The Sangh never helped anyone or any party directly during elections. Swayamsevaks follow a mandate on how to work as per their own wisdom. There comes a time when we propagate a particular national issue because the need of the hour is for an organisation with strength such as ours to get people together. Out of the 14 general elections held so far, we have been associated with only four where our members participated in the process on their own accord. The first was during the Emergency where our support was not for just one party but for all. On the second occasion, BJP reaped direct benefits from our participation and on the third and fourth occasions, it was the NDA comprising BJP and other parties that benefited. In Bihar, we once worked for Samata Party’s Digvijay Singh. But all these instances of support were not for a party but for the issues they stood for.

Mukund Sangoram: Dr Hedgewar tagged the RSS as an ‘organisation for the Hindus’, a term the Sangh does not deny even today. Over the years, the public perception of the Sangh has been that of an organisation which sees Muslims as its enemy.

Mohan Bhagwat: When we use the word ‘Hindu’, we refer to everyone in the Indian society—be it Hindus, Muslims or Christians—since it is a word that gives us our identity and nationalism. There are no non-Hindus in this country, according to us, since we are all children of Bharat Mata. Our ancestors were Hindu and did not belong to European-Christian or Arab-Turkish lineage. Through my career, I have met a number of Muslims who have been working with the Sangh. Once in Khiratpur, Punjab, I came across a gentleman named Ibrahim who identified himself as an RSS shakha swayamsevak for the past 46 years. We do not look at people as Muslims, Brahmins or Harijans. There are many Hindus today who are not fit to be called Hindus and many non-Hindus who have all the values that are required.

Sandeep Acharya: Has the Sangh tried to be more inclusive?

Our aim is to spread the Sangh’s outreach geographically and we welcome all those who are willing to join us. My family driver is a practising Muslim and yet a swayamsevak. An emerging group of Muslims are joining us and embracing our principles. People should study the structure of the organisation to get rid of misconceptions about the Sangh.

Prashant Dixit: Do you think that the youth of today is not attracted to the Sangh and that the organisation now largely consists of members who are in their 40s and 50s?

Mohan Bhagwat: You will realise that your perception is wrong when you attend one of our gatherings and notice that the number of people with black hair will outnumber those with grey hair. A majority of Sangh work requires physical exertion that people in their 50s and 60s cannot do. I am 60 plus but being the RSS chief, I have many luxuries. There are barely 200 sixty-plus swayamsevaks who are active members and are not expected to put in physically strenuous work. We have between 60,000 and a lakh young members who are joining the Sangh every year. Most of them are between the ages of 20 and 25.

Madhu Kamble: Considering the many sects and divisions in society, is it possible to organise society the way you desire?

Mohan Bhagwat: The structure of society has to change with times. If people still follow the caste system, it works against organising our society. We do not support divisions based on caste and creed. We have been trying to change the basic mindset of our people and unite them as Hindus. Removing these separatist emotions by imparting values is our constant pursuit.

Madhu Kamble: What is your stand on reservations?

Mohan Bhagwat: As long as certain people continue to be discriminated against, the need for reservation will remain. The makers of our Constitution hoped that reservation for the first 10 years after Independence would create equal opportunities for all. But we misused it for narrow, political ends and created vote banks. We think that an apolitical committee of experts, social workers, teachers and a few politicians of good character should be constituted. This committee should draw up a list of communities that actually need reservation on the basis of their social and economic status. Then, a 30-year programme should be charted out by the end of which there will not be any need for further reservation.

Madhu Kamble: There are two types of reservation—one is in politics and the other for education and employment. Are you for or against political reservation?

Mohan Bhagwat: Our belief is that the motive behind reservation should be to enable everyone to avail of equal benefits. But this change has to be accompanied by a change in the mindset that discriminates against people on the basis of their caste.

Reshma Shivdekar: Should reservations be based on caste or religion?

Mohan Bhagwat: Our country has a history of discrimination on the basis of caste, not religion. A person belonging to any religion can and has achieved great heights in this country, to the extent of being President of the country. Hence, reservation is required where societal discrimination is high. Worldwide, reservation has been for the weaker sections of society. Hence, it is most pertinent for the poor. Economic reservation will enable everyone to have an equal chance to stand in the queue. Each person will then progress in accordance to his merit and ability. To bring about this parity, you need economic reservation.

Girish Kuber: Do you think swadeshi works in the current age of globalisation?

Mohan Bhagwat: Actually, our stand on swadeshi has been strengthened. Our stand is that each country has its resources, its people and their aspirations. The purpose of development is to make individuals independent and self-reliant. If I can make something at home, I will not buy it. I will only bring from outside that which is not available in my country and not possible to make, yet is necessary for life. But on my conditions. In business, there are conditions from both sides. We should take knowledge and technology from everywhere. Russia, China and USA became superpowers but how did the world benefit from it? If we want to run the country efficiently and remain corruption-free, we have to decentralise our economic policy. Our country should not just be a consumer, but a producer and seller. We have to promote indigenous business.

Prashant Dixit: Does the RSS agree with the current economic policies?

Mohan Bhagwat: You are seeing the consequences of such policies. An advisor in the Central government told me that nothing is moving. Despite having the capability and skill in many sectors, we are only assembling, not manufacturing. Take, for example, thorium. We have huge reserves. Can we not research and use it? Basic research is not getting encouragement—it is not as if everything has gone wrong, but all is not well either.

Suhas Gangal: The RSS vehemently opposed Enron but changed its stand when the Sena-BJP combine came to power.

Mohan Bhagwat: I was not there so I will not answer this. But one thing is sure. The basis on which we opposed Enron, if there is a need to do so again, we will.

Suhas Gangal: Does the stance of RSS change when BJP comes to power?

Mohan Bhagwat: No, this never happens. In BJP-ruled states, we have protested on various issues.

P Vaidyanathan Iyer: In Maharashtra, the Hindu concept of RSS is further narrowed down to that of the Marathi manoos, where political parties term Biharis as infiltrators. Don’t you think these region-based concepts are divisive?

Mohan Bhagwat: Hindutva is an expandable concept. Narrow thinking is always divisive. Hinduism and issues of language, region, caste cannot come together.

P Vaidyanathan Iyer: What about such politics then?

Mohan Bhagwat: Our stand is ‘Saara Bharat, Saare Bharatiyon ka’.

Prashant Dixit: There is talk of RSS giving political backing to the Anna Hazare movement?

Mohan Bhagwat: Anna Hazare has a standing of his own, and his own a personality. Why should the Sangh take credit for his planning and organisation? We passed a resolution to oppose corruption through any movement. Are Sangh members not part of society? If there are agitations, will they stay at home?

Prashant Dixit: Why is RSS considered a liability by some political parties?

Mohan Bhagwat: I am not sure who thinks so, but where have we forced ourselves on anyone? All organisations are independent and free. They can take their own decisions.

Sandeep Acharya: Doesn’t the Sangh remote-control these organisations?

Mohan Bhagwat: There is no remote control. Love, friendship and teachings of the Sangh are the only basis of support.

Girish Kuber: Both Narendra Modi and Sanjay Joshi are members of the Sangh. Sangh is considered as the HR manager of the BJP.

Mohan Bhagwat: We are not the HR manager for BJP. Everyone has to run their own organisation. Sangh is different from them and we are independent organisations. The basis is thinking, teachings and relationships.

Nishant Sarvankar: Some people take an extreme stand. Does that lead to Hindu terrorism?

Mohan Bhagwat: Some things are against Hinduism. They cannot be Hindu. We cannot connect Hindu and terrorism. Hinduism treads the middle path, never extremism. There have been allegations only against some people. Till their role is established, one cannot declare them guilty.

Vinayak Parab: What is your stand regarding new trends like live-in relationships?

Mohan Bhagwat: New things need not be accepted as they are. We have to take into consideration the impact on our society and the long-term effect. We will oppose such behaviour.

Swanand Oak: What are the Sangh’s views on IT, technology?

Mohan Bhagwat: We have accepted different thoughts which are suited to our basic ideals. We use websites and portals for the Sangh.

Girish Kuber: What is the day like in the life of an RSS chief?

Mohan Bhagwat: Usually starts very early. In my case, it starts at 5 and ends at 12. With meetings and interactions all day long.

Ravi Amle: Which is the last movie you have seen? Who are your favourite writers?

Mohan Bhagwat: There are times when theatre owners take us out. The last movie I saw was Hey Ram. Among writers, I like Marathi writers like V S Khandekar, Arun Sadhu. I also liked the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I also read fiction.

Vaidehi Thakker: Will women ever be admitted as members of the RSS?

Mohan Bhagwat: In 1938, we started the Rashtriya Sevika. They have 7,000 shakhas. They work as a parallel organisation. We share a close rapport. If both bodies are ready, we can think about merging.

Translated and transcribed by Swatee Kher and Stuti Shukla

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/anna-has-a-standing-of-his-own.-why-should-the-sangh-take-credit-for-his-planning/999881/0#

Reservation should not be caste based, says Mohan Bhagwat

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Rservation Policy: Lalu Prasad lambasts Mohan Bhagavat in twitter

Nagpur: RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav lambasted RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagawat over latter’s critical views on reservation policy. He tweeted that the RSS and the BJP might try to any extent their evil design to do away with reservation policy, 80% Dalits and the backward would deal a befitting blow to them. He passed a challenge to them in his vernacular, as, agar koi ma ka doodh piya hai, to arakshan khatam karke dikhaye (If any one has consumed his mother’s milk, let him try to abolish reservation).

He has further tweeted, how much strength one has will become known soon. Lalu reacted over Mohan Bhagwat’s those remarks which the letter had made, as, “A committee be constituted to decide the policy on reservation as to who should get reservation and for how much period. The base of reservation must be social backwardness.”

Rservation Policy: Lalu Prasad lambasts Mohan Bhagavat in twitter

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Nagpur: RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav lambasted RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagawat over latter’s critical views on reservation policy. He tweeted that the RSS and the BJP might try to any extent their evil design to do away with reservation policy, 80% Dalits and the backward would deal a befitting blow to them. He passed a challenge to them in his vernacular, as, agar koi ma ka doodh piya hai, to arakshan khatam karke dikhaye (If any one has consumed his mother’s milk, let him try to abolish reservation).

Supporting Lalu’s views, Mukul tweeted, “The 5000 years long slavery/ servitude cannot be wiped out by reservation of 50-60 years. It will be considered after 200 or 250 years, or just produce the figures of census and discuss on them as to how much change has come owing to reservation and how much it is still needed. No body is doing this. All upper caste people have committed atrocities on Dalits and backwards for all these years, and now they (upper caste) are opposing their (Dalits’ and backwards’) fundamental rights of reservation and also their means for liberation. Or, go for reservation for all castes, on the basis of their number/ population, and who so ever has more number will have more reservation facility.”

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Attacking Lalu, one Rajesh tweeted, as, “If Lalu is a dam, let him make his son contest the election in Makhdumpur seat which is under influence of Manjhi, and is a Mahadalit segment. Reservation is required for a Charachor, not for Manjhi who is a popular leader of Dalits and backward.”

BJP distances itself from Bhagwat's pitch for quota review

Tuesday, 22 September 2015 - 9:25am IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI

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"It is BJP's firm committment since Jan Sangh days that reservation is essential for social and economic development and empowerment of SCs, STs, backward and extremenly backward castes. BJP is not in favour of any reconsideration of reservation being extended to these groups," senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told a press conference.

BJP distances itself from Bhagwat's pitch for quota review

Under attack over RSS chief's call for a reconsideration of quotas, BJP distanced itself from its ideological mentor, insisting it was against any such review as it sought to stave off Lalu Prasad's attempts to rally the backwards around in high-stake Bihar polls following Mohan Bhagwat's remarks.

As the RJD chief attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wondering if he will finish reservations "at his master Bhagwat's bidding," BJP said it respected 100 per cent the reservation rights of SCs, STs and other backward castes as it was essential for their social and economic development and empowerment.

Bhagwat's pitch for a review of reservation policy has prompted the alliance of Nitish Kumar and Prasad to mount a counter attack on the BJP-led NDA, which is trying to dent the grand alliance' strong backward castes support base .

Prasad, also Union Communications Minister, said a discussion was welcome on what further can be done for the poor and "left over" backward communities who have not been able to reap benefits of development, while insisting that BJP was all for the existing benefits to continue.

"BJP indeed is very clear and very categorial that there is no need to reconsider reservation nor does BJP support it (such demand)," he said.

In an interview to RSS mouthpiece Organiser, Bhagwat had pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggesting setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.

BJP also fielded its general secretary in charge of Bihar Bhupender Yadav to take on Lalu.

Yadav said Lalu should first answer what benefits the backward castes, in whose name he has "practised" his politics, got in the 15-year rule of RJD in Bihar.

"What Lalu calls 'mandal raj' is seen as "jungle raj" by people of Bihar and he should tell how many schools and hospitals he had made for these communities," Yadav said.

Lalu had attacked BJP in a series of tweets earlier in the day.

"The so-called tea seller and recently-turned backward (Narendra) Modi should tell if he will finish reservations at his master (Mohan) Bhagwat's bidding," he said.

"You talk of doing away with reservation, we will increase it in proportion to the population. If you have drunk your mother's milk (mai ka doodh), then have it scrapped, each would know his strength," he said in another tweet.

Congress to oppose RSS 'move' on reservation

Tuesday, 22 September 2015 - 8:25am IST | Agency: dna | From the print edition

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Speaking to the media at Tilak Bhavan, Chavan said that Bhagwat in an interview has suggested appointing a committee to do a re-look at the reservation issue.

Objecting to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's proposal of appointing an apolitical committee on reservation policy, Congress state unit president and Lok Sabha MP Ashok Chavan on Monday said that his party would oppose any effort of taking away the existing reservation benefits for the downtrodden in the society.

Speaking to the media at Tilak Bhavan, Chavan said that Bhagwat in an interview has suggested appointing a committee to do a re-look at the reservation issue. He added that the BJP governments at the Centre and the state are taking an anti-reservation stance and with the RSS chief's interview, it is coming out in the open.

Chavan further said that whatever the RSS chief has said could become a government agenda and if there is any attempt to deprive the Dalits and OBCs of their reservation benefits, Congress would oppose it tooth and nail. He alleged that since the state government has already deprived the Muslim community of educational benefits despite court orders, there would be an effort to cancel all the reservation benefits under the garb of reviewing the issue of reservation.

Criticising the Shiv Sena for supporting Sanatan Sanstha, Congress spokesperson Sachin Savant said that there was no difference between organisations in Pakistan supporting terror outfits and the Shiv Sena. He

said that since Sena was a part of the government, the issue of its support to Sanatan Sanstha through its mouthpiece 'Samana' was even more serious. A Sanatan Sanstha member has been arrested in the rationalist Govind Pansare murder case.

As BJP tries to break into Yadav bastion, Lalu takes it on over Bhagwat remarks on quota

Tuesday, 22 September 2015 - 7:00am IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: dna | From the print edition

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After the RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said the 80 per cent Dalit and backward population of the country will give a strong response, the BJP said there was no need to review the reservation policy.

Bhagwat

Just when the BJP's list of candidates for the Bihar elections reflected a caste balancing act to reach out beyond its traditional upper caste vote banks, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on reservations has given the party's opponents ammunition against it.

After the RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said the 80 per cent Dalit and backward population of the country will give a strong response, the BJP said there was no need to review the reservation policy.

"I challenge the RSS and BJP to end reservations," Yadav tweeted, reacting to Bhagwat proposing a non-political committee to be set up to examine who needs reservation and for how long. JD-U general secretary KC Tyagi said any kind of interference in the reservation policy was intended to hurt weaker and marginalised sections.

The statement in an interview to RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' sparked off reactions from not just Opposition parties but also from within the NDA. Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP said reservations was a settled issue.

Facing the heat of Bhagwat's statement at a time when it was trying to warm up to the EBCs and Yadavs, the BJP distanced itself from it. "The BJP is not in favour of any reconsideration of reservation being extended to ST, SC and OBC groups," union minister and senior party leader from Bihar Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here. Retaliating to the RJD leader's diatribe, Prasad said he had used OBCs as votebanks and that he should answer about 15 years of his rule.

The BJP put out a statement saying it 'firmly' supported the constitutional reservation for the SC, ST, OBC, Backwards and extremely backwards classes and even welcoming suggestions on further measures for economically and socially backward. "The BJP firmly believes that reservation is important for the social, education and economic development of these groups. The BJP is not in favour of any reconsideration of these constitutional provisions," it said.

At the same time, the RSS put out a clarification on Bhagwat's statement saying he did not comment on the existing reservation policy and that he was saying that constitutional experts wanted reservations to benefit the marginalised sections and it should be reviewed whether the policy reached the needy sections.

The Opposition's accusation of the BJP having a 'anti-backward mindset', in an apparent attempt to consolidate the OBC votebank, comes close on the heels of the party giving the highest number of representation in its list to candidates from the Yadav community and EBCs.

Of the 153 candidates announced by the BJP, which intends to fight 160 seats, there are 22 Yadavs, 21 scheduled castes and around 14 from various sections in the bottom of the pyramid EBCs, including Noniya, Dhanuk and Gangota. The EBC constitutes around 30 per cent of the population in the state. In the 2005 assembly election, the BJP had fielded seven EBC candidates.

The Yadav representation almost equals the 14 per cent population of the community in the state. The BJP is hoping to give the Yadavs an 'alternative' to the RJD which has ruled the state for 15 years. A party leader said aspirations of the Yadavs had been raised and the disgruntled elements and the aspirational sections will look for other alternatives.

Besides its traditional vote base, from which it has given 14 Brahmin, 30 Rajput, 18 Bhumihar and 19 Baniya candidates, the BJP has given tickets to two Muslims, six Kushwahas and one scheduled tribe so far.

According to sources, party president Amit Shah had given utmost importance to winnability while choosing candidates. "Merit and social balancing have been taken into consideration,"said party spokesperson in Bihar Devesh Kumar.

BJP's candidature break-up

Quota backlash: With high electoral stakes, which party will bite the bullet?

Tuesday, 22 September 2015 - 6:40am IST | Agency: dna | From the print edition

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There seems to be a growing realisation that the reservation policy needs to be recalibrated. But with high electoral stakes, which party will bite the bullet?

Mohan Bhagwat of RSS Mohan Bhagwat of RSS File Photo

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s call for a review of the reservation policy is reflective of the apprehensions in the political establishment about the demand for reservation cropping up from dominant groups like Patidars in Gujarat and Jats in Haryana. Coming from Bhagwat, spearhead of the Hindutva ideology, that views caste as an obstacle to Hindu unity, the statement is hardly surprising. Bhagwat also referred to interest groups that make demands at the cost of others’ aspirations, a clear reference to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar agitation that has given the BJP a testing time in Gujarat, a politically important state for the Sangh Parivar. But his argument — that reservation is being used for political ends, and there is a need to review who gets quotas and for how long — is something that Indian politics cannot refrain from addressing any longer. Ever since the Mandal Commission report was accepted, all political parties have woken up to the electoral potential of backward caste politics. The Other Backward Classes (OBC) categorisation was necessitated by the realisation that there were many socially and educationally backward groups, besides Dalits and Adivasis, who were finding it difficult to access jobs in the face of upper caste hegemony. But the logic of electoral politics has vitiated a noble idea in several ways.

Using political heft, many undeserving groups have found their way into the OBC category. Conversely, political parties have bent over backwards to propitiate dominant communities by granting them OBC status. The creamy layer — an idea to exclude those financially well off — has been undermined by the liberal relaxation of the income criteria. A review of the reservation policy, despite being advocated by the Supreme Court, has never been carried out. But Bhagwat’s statement also reveals an innate hypocrisy that even the Sangh Parivar cannot claim to be immune from. No political party can afford to ignore the importance of backward class politics in the Hindi heartland. In the Lok Sabha elections, RSS cadre were at the forefront of the campaign at the grass roots that focussed on Narendra Modi’s OBC roots. In the upcoming Bihar polls, the BJP has offered tickets to over two dozen Yadav candidates. The Yadavs never figured in the BJP’s Bihar plans before, but the latest ploy is certainly an attempt to woo the community away from RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Last week, UP Congress leader Jitin Prasada bemoaned the cornering of the OBC quota by a few dominant castes and demanded reservation for economically weaker upper castes too. However, few politicians want to risk the political backlash of challenging the OBC reservation policy or calling for a periodic review of its efficacy. It remains to be seen whether Bhagwat will stick to his guns if his statements invite flak for the BJP. Already, we have a national government wary of releasing the results of the caste census. The census would have offered a more reliable count of caste groupings in the country and their socio-economic conditions, and helped distinguish fact from political rhetoric. The alternative to caste-based reservation is economic criteria. But caste continues to determine social position and influences land ownership and occupational preferences. With OBC reservation demands fomenting social tensions and yielding fewer returns for the most deprived backward sections, it is time for politics to be delinked completely from reservations. Decisions on reservations and their continuance should be left entirely to statutory bodies like the National Commission for Backward Classes, which must be empowered and staffed with eminent social scientists. Taking this route will also shield the state from unacceptable demands, of the kind being made by Hardik Patel, and also force so-called backward class messiahs to focus on developmental issues bigger than reservation.

Mohan Bhagwat's quota remarks against spirit of Constitution: JD(U)

Monday, 21 September 2015 - 9:46pm IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI

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The RSS chief's statement was "against the spirit of the Constitution", the JD(U) leader said.

Mohan Bhagwat JD(U) condemns the RSS chief's proposal of interference in the reservation policy (File Photo) PTI

JD(U) on Sunday slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for seeking a review of the reservation policy and said this amounts to "interference" and is an attempt to "weaken" the SC, ST and other backward communities. "Janata Dal (United) totally rejects and condemns the proposal of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding appointment of a committee to review the reservation policy of the SC/ST and backwards.

"The reservation policy is yet to reach its goal and in such condition, any kind of interference to it, including effort to review (it) would go against the weaker and marginalised sections of the society. So JD(U) condemns the RSS chief's proposal of interference in the reservation policy, which is an attempt to weaken the SC/ST and OBCs," party general secretary K C Tyagi said in a statement.

Bhagwat had yesterday pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggesting setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.

The JD(U) leader said the reservation being given to the educationally and socially backward communities was possible only after a long discussion in the constituent assembly and persuasion of Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar. "RSS was not in the making of Constitution because they kept themselves away from the mainstream of the freedom movement," Tgyai said, taking a potshot at Bhagwat.

The RSS chief's statement was "against the spirit of the Constitution", the JD(U) leader said.

In an interview in RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' and 'Panchjanya', Bhagwat also pitched for constitution of a committee with representatives from the civil society to go into the issue and decide which categories require reservation and for how long.

Rechristen all roads, monuments named after Mughal emperors: VHP

Monday, 21 September 2015 - 9:04pm IST Updated: Monday, 21 September 2015 - 9:05pm IST | Agency: PTI

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VHP on Monday demanded that all roads and monuments named after Mughal emperors be re-christened, claiming that the country should not drag on with "signs of slavery".

VHP crowd VHP crowd

VHP on Monday demanded that all roads and monuments named after Mughal emperors be re-christened, claiming that the country should not drag on with "signs of slavery".

VHP's international secretary general Champat Rai backed the demand made by a Delhi BJP leader for renaming Shahjahan Road, while asking Muslims to show no affection towards Mughal emperors.

"Any proud community won't drag on with signs of slavery. What has been Aurangzeb, Babur, Humayun, Akbar or Shahjahan's contribution to this country? They have conducted atrocities and made people here their slaves," Rai said. He said it will be good if these names are changed in a harmonious manner.

"More the delay, lesser harmonious it will be. Names, however, will be changed for sure... Changing the name is quite necessary," Rai told PTI, suggesting that the names of Mughal emperors be removed like those of Britishers.

Rai's comments came in the backdrop of re-naming of Aurangzeb Road after former President A P J Abdul Kalam. Last week, Delhi BJP spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay had raised another demand that Prime Minister

Narendra Modi issue order to rename Shahjahan Road as Dashrath Manjhi Road, claiming that the Mughal emperor was a "symbol of lust".

Rai, who recently had been to the US and the UK, also lauded the Modi government for "changing perception" about the country abroad. He claimed the steps taken by the government have helped improve ties with

Bangladesh and Myanmar and have curbed any anti-India activities from their territories. He also said that VHP will come out with a book on the life of its leader Ashok Singhal on October 1 on his 90th birth anniversary. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will unveil the book, Rai said.

Congress leader Manish Tewari backs RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on reservations; political fight erupts

Monday, 21 September 2015 - 9:00pm IST | Place: New Delhi/ Patna | Agency: PTI

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A political row broke out over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's call for review of reservation policy with BJP opposing it and distancing itself from its ideological mentor.

Manish Tewari and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

A political row broke out over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's call for review of reservation policy with BJP opposing it and distancing itself from its ideological mentor and shared the stand taken by Bihar-based parties which said reservation in India is a "settled issue".

Lalu Prasad's RJD dared the Modi government to scrap the quotas with a tweet, "If you have drunk your mother's milk (mai ka doodh), then have it scrapped, each would know his strength."

There was no official reaction from Congress yet to Bhagat's suggestion but in remarks that could raise eyebrows within the party, senior leader Manish Tewari questioned the relevance of reservation in the 21st century and said if it was required at all, the economic condition, and not caste, should be the basis for it.

BJP said it respected 100% the reservation rights of SCs, STs and other backward castes as it was essential for their social and economic development and empowerment.

"BJP indeed is very clear and very categorial that there is no need to reconsider reservation nor does BJP support it (such demand)," he said.

NDA ally RLSP, a Bihar-based party, said reservation in India is a "settled issue" as mandated in the Constitution, Fighting a tough electoral battle in Bihar, Lalu, one of the enduring icons of post-Mandal politics, said in another tweet, "The so-called tea seller and recently-turned backward (Narendra) Modi should tell if he will finish reservations at his master (Mohan) Bhagwat's bidding."

"No matter how much RSS and BJP try to create an atmosphere for finishing reservation, dalits and backwards who constitute 80 per cent of the country will give a befitting reply," he said.

JD(U) slammed Bhagwat for seeking a review of the reservation policy, saying this amounts to "interference" and is an attempt to "weaken" the SC, ST and other backward communities.

"Janata Dal (United) totally rejects and condemns the proposal of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding appointment of a committee to review the reservation policy of the SC/ST and backwards," party general secretary K C Tyagi said in a statement.

Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan criticises Mohan Bhagwat's statement on quota policy review

Monday, 21 September 2015 - 8:45pm IST | Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI

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Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Ashok Chavan on Monday slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for seeking a "review" of the reservation policy and alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government is against caste-based job reservation quotas.

Ashok Chavan Ashok Chavan

"There is a possibility that Dalits and backward castes will be kept away from reservations under the guise of reviewing the reservation quota system," Chavan said in Mumbai. He said Maharashtra government had not even allowed implementation of the quota for Muslims in education, though it received the high court's nod.

"The fate of Maratha reservations is under strain while the BJP-led Maharashtra state government has not fulfilled its promise of reservations for the Dhangar community. So, when there is a statement from the RSS, which is the BJP led government's remote controller, about a review of the quota system, the BJP's future stand on reservations is clear" Chavan said.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Nawab Malik said his party would oppose any move to review the reservation system "tooth and nail". "We will also launch a mass awareness campaign against the BJP's designs," he said.

We dare PM Modi to scrap reservation: Lalu Prasad on Bhagwat's quota review remark

Monday, 21 September 2015 - 7:20pm IST | Place: Patna | Agency: PTI

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"No matter how much RSS and BJP try to create an atmosphere for finishing reservation, dalits and backwards who constitute 80 per cent of the country will give a befitting reply," he said.

Lalu Prasad Yadav "You talk of doing away with reservation, we will increase it in proportion to the population," says Lalu Prasad (File Photo)

Fighting a tough electoral battle in Bihar, RJD president Lalu Prasad on Monday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scrap quotas after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat suggested a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends. "The so-called tea seller and recently-turned backward (Narendra) Modi should tell if he will finish reservations at his master (Mohan) Bhagwat's bidding," Lalu tweeted.

Bhagwat had yesterday pitched for a review of the reservation policy, maintaining it has been used for political ends and suggesting setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long Lalu, one of the enduring icons of post-Mandal politics, asserted his party would ensure quotas were increased in proportion to the population of the targeted groups. "You talk of doing away with reservation, we will increase it in proportion to the population. If you have drunk your mother's milk (mai ka doodh), then have it scrapped, each would know his strength," he said in another tweet.

"No matter how much RSS and BJP try to create an atmosphere for finishing reservation, dalits and backwards who constitute 80 per cent of the country will give a befitting reply," he said.

Bhagwat, in an interview to RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' and 'Panchjanya', had suggested constitution of a committee with respresentatives from the civil society to go into the issue of reservation. "We believe, form a committee of people genuinely concerned for the interest of the whole nation and committed for social equality, including some representatives from the society, they should decide which categories require reservation and for how long. The non-political committee like autonomous commissions should be the implementation authority; political authorities should supervise them for honesty and integrity," he said.

Arguing that the reservation policy based on social backwardness being followed now is not in line with what the makers of the Indian Constitution had in mind, Bhagwat said had quotas been implemented as per the vision of the Constitution makers questions on the issue would not have surfaced.

Muslim Discourse

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

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