Vijaya Dashami is an important day for RSS to celebrate, because the organization was formed on this day. RSS marked its 90th Foundation Day this year. From small group of volunteers, it has become one of the largest organizations which safeguards Hindu religion. From January to June 2015, enrolments have been at the rate of 5,026 per month, this number goes up a bit between July and September to 6,648 per month. Mohan Bhagwat’s interview came out on September 28, and the figures, nationally, for just the first 15 days of October are 4,700. Somewhere in some section of youth, the craze for RSS is on the rise but on the other hand majority of youth look at it as terror or communal organization. Irrespective of criticism, RSS succeeded in making its existence even much stronger in recent past.
In Vijay Dashmi speech, Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said that there is new hope in the country as India is poised to become the leader of the world. Doordarshan, a government channel gave live telecast to Bhagwat’s speech. Last year also Doordarshan had aired live telecast of Bhagwat’s speech which irked the Opposition but the public broadcaster had insisted that its coverage was from a news point of view. While speaking on various issues, Bhagwat said that the world is now expecting that the ‘new India’ will show the way, especially the developing world thinks India as the leader of the group and for the ‘new India’ the first thing required is that we get out of mental slavery. He stressed that the aim should be not just be material growth but spiritual growth. When country is divided over religion and caste how one can really be spiritual, being spiritual is mostly misinterpreted as communal mentality. What India needs at this moment is financial growth and development. India needs to function peacefully. Every Indian needs security and assurance of safety, unless this is not taken care, spiritual practices are just not possible.
The fact is that India has become one of the most intolerant nations and no one is above it. All are equally intolerant and morally corrupt. I do not trust anyone in these matters. Capable and competent people are needed in all walks of life and over years that have been denied to the country on various accounts to benefit politics. Here, what you sow so shall you reap. While November 8 is still three phases of polling away in Bihar, the RSS is making sure that its share of victory or defeat is not taken in any other way than the one it intends. This is self-goal by RSS/BJP. This time BJP may lose millions of votes in Bihar. Nitish and Lalu will come to power in Bihar for sure. On the other hand, secular media and people are also exposed badly. They vomit platitudes like freedom of speech and tolerance. Are they tolerant if someone peaks against their cherished ideals and values?
Is insertion of secularism as an act of eyewash? If secularism is practiced in letter and spirit by government in its delivery mechanism, will government interfere with measures of beef ban to cater to adherents of a particular faith? Will government resort to reservation mechanism catering to castes of a particular faith? Will the government act in a manner which leaves out country’s nationals outside caste fold and professing a minority’s faith? Too often calls are heard of changes in school curriculum with religious connotations, is it a stroll on path of secularism? Acts of appeasement of adherents of majority faith in government delivery mechanism is camouflaged under the label of secularism while a book chapter reads of religion influence measures. It’s faith which has become focal relegating the Indian. Is secularism seen more in breach or in practice? Secularism is seen among sections of Indians. The secular state has been continuously diluted since 1947. The administration has been always suspicious of the religious minority groups and has sought to be friendly with the Hindu majority states and has been sabotaging the progress of other states like Kerala, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir under various excuses. Industrial investment has been at a very low level in these states. No IITs, no military academy, no National projects and finally in the case of Punjab, even the state capital, High Court have been denied.
Bhagwatji said, India stands for unity in diversity. However, we are looking amid rising cases of intolerance in the country. He also said that India is helping other countries at this hour keeping the interest of our country on the forefront. “India is evolving in a new look, world is expecting India to show them the way ahead. A new idea of India is rising in the world. Whenever there is a crisis situation in the world, we come forth to help. If Mr. Bhagwat actually believes so then he should practice what he preaches and try to bring harmony in our country, by taking initiative in curbing caste and religious attacks. Else his speeches will remain merely a formality.
The Bombay High Court has refused to allow an expenditure of Rs. 14.94 lakhs incurred by Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi towards printing invitation cards and posting them to patrons for the Dussehra function.
With the Maharashtra government yet to reach a consensus over Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro Rail fare, Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), which is operating the corridor, said it will continue to charge the current fare of Rs. 10 to Rs. 40 till November 30.
Irked by Union Minister Arun Jaitley’s remarks disapproving of its aggressive protests, Shiv Sena today hit back saying nobody should lecture Maharashtra on tolerance and claimed it is the only party which has “never betrayed people” for the sake of power.