Govt shouldn't have snapped dialogue with Baba, says RSS chief

Jun 7, 2011,

NAGPUR: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday condemned the midnight attack by government agencies on the peacefully assembled protesters demanding end to corruption and bringing back of black money stashed abroad. "This is not done in a democracy. People had gathered there on their own to support a social cause. Baba Ramdev was only leading them and voicing peoples' concerns.

"The agitation was non-political and it did not target any party or individuals. The government should not have humiliated the yoga guru and beaten up women and children. Many said the incident was reminiscent of Jallianwala Bagh and the Emergency. Jab rakshak, bhakshak ban jai … (the protector turns into a tormentor)," said the Sarsnanghachalak.

He was addressing a massive gathering at the Reshimbagh grounds at the valedictory function of the 3rd year course of the RSS. Kanchi-Kamakoti Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati presided and Ganga Raju, a businessman and VHP functionary from Andhra Pradesh, was the chief guest.

Bhagwat said the RSS had in its 'pratinidhi sabha' held at Puttur in March resolved to support the agitation of Anna Hazare and similar agitations aimed at eradicating corruption. "So, swayamsevaks did support Baba Ramdev's agitation. Not that the RSS expects quick solutions to the complex social problems the nation faces through such agitations. But we know that at least they are leading on the right path. Neither Anna, a social reformer, nor Baba Ramdev, a spiritual guru with vast following, had any personal motives in leading the agitations. They were only voicing concerns of the people, the RSS chief said.

"Moreover, by disrupting Baba's agitation, the government has snapped the channel of communication it had established with him. Even the government said it was in agreement with the issues raised by Ramdev. The differences were only on how to implement policies to check corruption and bring back the black money. A government is for the people, not for personal gains of some individuals in high positions or those having strong political connections. So such a harsh action on Baba Ramdev and his followers was simply unwarranted," stressed Bhagwat.

In a significant remark, Bhagwat also said just a fresh set of laws and policies were not enough, the society and every individual should change. In this social change, moral values and ethics are crucial. "The Sangh, in fact, is deeply involved in this exercise of building people with good character and nationalistic fervour to safeguard people's interests," said the RSS chief.

Bhagwat also raised the issue of a draft of the anti-communal bill prepared by the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the UPA government. Wondering who gave the NAC authority to draft a proposed law, he alleged that the Bill was aimed at pitting one community against another and keep the communal pot boiling. He also said the Bill was detrimental to the interests of Hindus.

The Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswati hailed the efforts of the RSS in building cadres wedded to the cause of Hinduism. Raju expressed concern over rampant conversion activity by missionaries in Andhra Pradesh and said the RSS should spread its activities in every village of the southern state. "The Tirupati temple generates Rs 1,000 crore income a year. But the money is not allowed for religious activities and diverted by the government for other purposes," Raju lamented.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Govt-shouldnt-have-snapped-dialogue-with-Baba-says-RSS-chief/articleshow/8753903.