RSS General Secretary Suresh Joshi briefs Media at ABKM
Kochi October 27: RSS Sarakaryavah (General Secretary) Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi issued a statement on Madhav Gadgil Report on Western Ghat Conservation and on Communal and Targetted Violence Bill, on the concluding day of RSS ABKM meet in Kochi today.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, ABKM meet at Kochi:
Statement by Mananiya Sarkaryavah Shri Suresh (Bhayyaji) Joshi
The three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal Baithak is being held in Kerala – the Land of Parasuram for the first time. All the functionaries, attending from all parts of Bharat, have enjoyed the warm hospitality that they received here. I sincerely thank the people of the state for their love and affection, and continued support to the RSS because of which the organisation has grown into a major force here.
On Madhav Gadgil Report:
The ABKM held detailed discussions about the impending threats to our environment in general and the eco-system of Western Ghats in particular. The flawed development model that is being pursued and the lavish life style of some in the society are going to cause immense damage to our environment. It is the responsibility of this generation to act immediately to reverse this trend and follow the Bharatiya model of environment-friendly development, so that our future generations can live in peace.
In this context the Madhav Gadgil Panel Report on the preservation of Western Ghats Eco-system is a landmark report. It is unfortunate that instead of placing the recommendations of the Panel before the people and allowing a national debate, the Government of India chose to dump it completely. The RSS is of the view that several recommendations of the Panel are in the larger national interest. We condemn the stand of the Union Government to outrightly reject Madhav Gadgil Committee report.
The report by the committee headed by eminent scientist Dr. Kasturirangan may be a first step, but we are of the view that it is not sufficient. We call upon the Central and concerned State Governments to reconsider their decision with regard to both the reports and initiate larger debate in the country about the future of our environment.
On Communal and Targetted Violence Bill:
The statement of Union Home Minister that the Communal and Targetted Violence Bill will be introduced in the Winter session of the Parliament calls for serious opposition from all right thinking people in the country. This Bill is highly biased, unlawful and dangerously anti-Hindu. It seeks to divide the society on minority-majority lines, which is unconstitutional. Such a Bill, if enacted, will destroy the communal harmony and cause immense damage to the social fabric of the country. Instead of preventing communal violence, it will only lead to further division on communal lines thus creating more disharmony.
Only objective of the Government in retrieving this draft legislation from the cold storage and resurrecting it, seems to be the usual votebank politics. We wish to warn the Government that this anti-Hindu and anti-harmony legislation will be opposed by the countrymen strongly. We call upon all the countrymen to expose the sinister appeasement politics of the ruling party with an eye on the forthcoming elections.
Answering the Questions:
Answering a question about RSS’s involvement in electoral politics , he said that RSS is not a political party. Therefore, the organisation does not get involved in election politics hence ABKM did not discuss the electoral politics. But, RSS believes that every voter is responsible and liable to vote. We like to have 100 % polling. Therefore, people should make sure that all are enrolled in the voters’ list when they get the chance for it in January. Sangh workers will go for active campaign in this respect. That is the RSS view about the election.
RSS will actively campaign for the enrollment of voters in the voters’ list.
When Bhayyaji’s attention was drawn to Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s statement that RSS should join politics since they are openly supporting Modi, he said that RSS is a responsible organisation of the people hence decisions are taken accordingly. And, BJP selected Narendra Modi as their prime ministerial candidate.
Answering a question regarding RSS’s support to BJP, he said that Sangh does not get involved in day-to-day politics; but we have got some national missions for protecting the interests of the country and her men.
Answering a question concerning the government’s reported to move use the wealth of temples to face the economic crisis, he said that RSS does not endorse it; government should not do it.
When asked if 2014 election is similar to that of 1977, he said that there is no comparison between two. 1977 election came during Emergency. MISA, DIR and other draconian rules prevailed. There was no democracy. The current situation is different. But, one similarity is there; people are unhappy with the government just like they were in 1977. Government is corrupt and they are infamous for the same. Governance is not good too. Common men is too unhappy. National security is not taken care of.
Answering a question about the alternative to the present government, Bhayyaji said that people should go for the alternative. RSS passes resolutions every year which throws light to this. Country needs proper mechanism to run the effective administration.
When asked about RSS attitude towards the corruption of the BJP men or leaders, he said that RSS is always against all sorts of corruptions.
Kochi – 27 October 2013
