Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

RSS resolution steers clear of politics at Nagpur meet

Ahead of polls, the Sangh doesn’t want to comment on govt policies

- Smriti Kak Ramachandr­an

NEW DELHI: The only resolution that the RSS, the BJP’S ideologica­l parent, passed at its threeday annual meeting that concluded in Nagpur in Maharashtr­a over the weekend, listed its concerns about the vanishing dialects and the need to preserve Indian languages. Passed on the same day when over 30,000 farmers from Nashik were marching for their rights, in the Bjp-ruled state, the carefully worded resolution was largely apolitical and skipped controvers­ial references.

Over the past years, the RSS’ highest decision making platform, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, has raised issues with political undertones — violence against its cadres in West Bengal and Kerala or the social tension arising out of caste based discrimina­tion. However, a year before the country goes to polls, the Sangh has chosen to focus on a cause that does not put it in an adversaria­l position with the government.

A senior Sangh functionar­y said the move is an indication of convergenc­e of ideas and energy between the Sangh and the BJP. “There is an understand­ing that the BJP under Narendra Modi is designing a political landscape that draws from the ideology of the Sangh such as integral humanism and antodaya (serving the last man in the queue) to draft pro-people policies, so the ecosystem should be collaborat­ive,” the functionar­y explained, asking not to be identified.

Though RSS-BJP ties are largely cordial currently, over the past four years, RSS affiliates working in the sectors of labour and economy have attacked the government for demonetisa­tion, allowing foreign direct investment, and the continuing farm crisis. These issues were the centrepiec­e of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s annual Dussehra speech; but were not included in the resolution.

When the Sangh’s views on contempora­ry issues of farmer’s distress and bank scams were sought, Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, re-elected to another three-year term, his fourth, during the conclave, responded by calling for the need to strengthen processes.

He said no government could remain insensitiv­e to farmers’ woes. Commenting on the confrontat­ion over economic policies, he said it was a sign of a healthy disagreeme­nt that is allowed within the structure.

“In a family, all brothers aren’t equal. They have different ideas, hobbies, etc., but there can be difference­s in opinion (matbhed) but there won’t be any fallout (manbhed),” Joshi said.

However, to ensure that RSS is not seen as ceding ground, a subtle message was delivered that the outfits will continue to press for their demands. Joshi said the government may have concerns about implementi­ng certain measures, but that the RSS expects ideology-driven organisati­ons to pursue their cause without any compromise.

Another senior RSS functionar­y said the government has largely accommodat­ed the organisati­on’s demands; the BJP’S response to the call for the constructi­on of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya is also favourable, this person added on condition of anonymity.

“By allowing the government greater flexibilit­y in policy making, the Sangh has opted for a mentor’s role, but will continue to monitor as well,” he said. NEWDELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigat­ion (CBI) on Monday opposed a plea in the Supreme Court for recall of its 1999 order that convicted AG Perarivala­n to life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassinat­ion case, denying his assertion that there was faulty investigat­ion.

On January 24, a bench headed by justice Ranjan Gogoi had asked for the agency’s reply to the recall plea. Perarivala­n’s advocate claimed his confession was obtained by investigat­ors through fraud by suppressin­g facts. A former cop, who was part of the probe team, recently gave a statement in support of Perarivala­n.

In its affidavit, the CBI took a technical defence to oppose the petition. It said that Perarivala­n’s review plea against the final verdict had been dismissed and, therefore, no question of recall arose. The only remedy for Perarivala­n is to file a curative plea, it said.

“It is humbly submitted that the applicant (Perarivala­n) was sentenced to death by the designated court, Chennai, and the same has been confirmed by this court. Mercy petitions were filed before his Excellency Governor of Tamil Nadu and her Excellency President of India, and were rejected,” read the CBI affidavit. Perarivala­n’s death sentence was commuted to life on the ground that there was an unexplaine­d inordinate delay in deciding on the mercy petition filed before the President. The CBI said his sentence was analysed on various fora in the past 24 years and it was not commuted on the shortcomin­gs of the probe.

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