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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

‘Bharat Ratna to Savarkar will increase its prestige’

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday threw his full weight behind the long-standing demand to confer the Bharat Ratna on Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, asserting that the Hindutva ideologue’s inclusion would enhance the dignity of the country’s highest civilian honour. Bhagwat, who explained the genesis and growth of the RSS over past 100 years in two lectures at the Nehru Centre here on Saturday and Sunday, replied to several...

‘Bharat Ratna to Savarkar will increase its prestige’

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday threw his full weight behind the long-standing demand to confer the Bharat Ratna on Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, asserting that the Hindutva ideologue’s inclusion would enhance the dignity of the country’s highest civilian honour. Bhagwat, who explained the genesis and growth of the RSS over past 100 years in two lectures at the Nehru Centre here on Saturday and Sunday, replied to several questions. While replying to one of the questions, he remarked, “If Swatantraveer Savarkar is given the Bharat Ratna, the prestige of the Bharat Ratna itself will increase.” He was asked, why there has been a delay in conferring the Bharat Ratna on Savarkar, in reply to which, Bhagwat said, “I am not part of that committee. But if I meet someone, I will ask. Even without that honour, he rules the hearts of millions of people.” he added. Social Divisions Bhagwat replied to questions that were clubbed in 14 different groups ranging from national security to environment, social harmony, youth, arts and sports. Whenever the questions suggested or expressed expectations that the RSS should do certain things, Bhagwat stressed on the involvement of the society and initiative from the society in resolving the problems. While addressing the critical issue of Uniform Civil Code, Bhagwat stated that the UCC should be framed by taking everyone into confidence and must not lead to social divisions. In the same way while replying to the question related to illegal migrants in the country, Bhagwat urged people to “detect and report” the “illegal infiltrators” to the police. He also urged people not to give them any employment and to be more “vigilant.” Backing SIR He highlighted that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has already revealed the “foreigners” living in the country. “The government has a lot to do regarding infiltration. They have to detect and deport. This wasn’t happening until now, but it has started little by little, and it will gradually increase. When the census or the SIR is conducted, many people come to light who are not citizens of this country; they are automatically excluded from the process,” he said. “But we can do one thing: we can work on detection. Their language gives them away. We should detect them and report them to the appropriate authorities. We should inform the police that we suspect these people are foreigners, and they should investigate and keep an eye on them, and we will also keep an eye on them. We will not give employment to any foreigner. If someone is from our country, we will give them employment, but not to foreigners. You should be a little more vigilant and aware,” he added. SC Chief Emphasising the inclusivity of the Sangh, he said that anyone can become ‘Sarsanghchalak’ (RSS chief), including the SC and STs, as the decision is solely dependent on the work that any individual put for the organisation. “Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra or Brahmin does not qualify for the Sarsanghchalak position (RSS Chief), a Hindu will become the one who works and is best available. A Hindu will become, and that can also be an SC or ST. Anyone can become it depends on the work. Today, if you see, all classes have representation in the Sangh. The decision is taken on the basis of one who works and is best available,” he said. He pointed out that when the RSS was founded, its work began in a Brahmin-dominated community and hence, most of its founders were Brahmins, which led to the organisation being labelled as a Brahmin outfit at the time. People always look for an organisation that has representatives from their community, he said. “If I were to choose a chief, I would go by the ‘best available candidate’ criterion. When I was appointed RSS chief, there were many best candidates, but they were not available. I was the one who could be relieved from duties and appointed,” he said. He said that to belong to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe communities is not a disqualification, and neither is being a Brahmin a qualification to become the RSS chief. Ready to step down if Sangh asks for Dr. Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the Sangh had asked him to continue working despite his age, while stressing that he would step down from the post whenever the organisation directs him to do so. “There is no election to the post of RSS chief. Regional and divisional heads appoint the chief. Generally, it is said that after turning 75, one should work without holding any post,” Bhagwat said. “I have completed 75 years and informed the RSS, but the organisation asked me to continue working. Whenever the RSS asks me to step down, I will do so, but retirement from work will never happen,” he said.

After circuit bench, people’s struggle is next

Kolhapur: India is racing ahead on the tracks of high-speed rail and futuristic technology. The Rs 1.08 lakh crore Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is nearing readiness, and hydrogen-powered coaches developed in Chennai have successfully been tested. Yet, Kolhapur, despite its economic and cultural significance, continues to be bypassed by the Indian Railways’ grand vision.


The contrast is stark. While massive investments are being made elsewhere, the long-pending Miraj–Kolhapur–Vaibhavwadi rail line, requiring just about Rs 3,000 crore, lies in limbo. Three surveys have been conducted, the project was included in the Gati Shakti plan, and even a bhoomipujan was done by then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.


But beyond paperwork, no progress has been made. If completed, this project could link southern Maharashtra with the Konkan, providing a lifeline for both freight and passenger traffic. More importantly, with Kolhapur now hosting the circuit bench of the Bombay High Court, better connectivity is an urgent necessity for litigants and citizens across six districts.


Meanwhile, Kolhapur’s existing railway services are shrinking. The Sahyadri Express has been denied permission to travel beyond Pune for the last three years. The Kolhapur–Solapur train, halted during the pandemic, has not been restored even after four years. The Rani Chennamma Express to Bengaluru has been permanently curtailed at Miraj. And the proposed Mumbai–Kolhapur Vande Bharat remains on paper, with six months of “timetable discussions” yielding nothing.


This neglect cannot be explained away by financial feasibility. The Railways has sanctioned doubling and electrification of the Miraj–Pune line but has ignored the last 46-km stretch to Kolhapur, citing cost concerns. Ironically, the same Railways finds no difficulty in justifying Rs 1 lakh crore-plus for a bullet train. When RajarshiShahu Maharaj brought the first rail line to Kolhapur at his personal expense, he could hardly have imagined that more than a century later, his city would still be fighting for basic connectivity.


Gross reluctance

The official reluctance is not just administrative—it is political. Railway events in recent months have openly revealed the bias against Kolhapur.


The deeper problem, however, is the lack of collective political will within the region itself. The lesson of the circuit bench is clear: Kolhapur gets its due only when citizens unite and apply pressure. Without such mobilisation, rail projects will remain stuck, and the city’s development will continue to be throttled.


History offers perspective. The Konkan Railway too was once dismissed as financially unviable. Today, it is the lifeline of the coastal belt. The Miraj–Vaibhavwadi line has the same transformative potential.


It can boost freight movement, decongest existing routes, and make Kolhapur a stronger link between Maharashtra and Karnataka. A Bengaluru–Kolhapur Vande Bharat is not just desirable—it is entirely practical given the heavy passenger and goods traffic along this corridor.


Kolhapur now stands at a crossroads. The city has the capacity, the demand, and the pressing need for better railway infrastructure. What it lacks is an organised public movement. After the hard-fought victory of the circuit bench, Kolhapur has already shown what people’s resolve can achieve. It is time to bring that same determination to the railway tracks.


If the people of Kolhapur do not demand their rightful share, they will continue to be left waiting—on the platform, watching development speed past them.

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