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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.

Same Faces, New Twists

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

MVA

Mahayuti’s grip on north Maharashtra is set for a major test in the upcoming Assembly polls as it seeks to recover from this year’s bruising Lok Sabha losses. This largely agrarian and tribal belt — a region that wields significant influence with its 47 assembly seats — has long been a stronghold for the BJP as well as the undivided Shiv Sena. But the recent Lok Sabha results saw the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance flip the narrative, claiming six out of the region’s eight seats, leaving the ruling Mahayuti coalition with a solitary foothold in Jalgaon.


Much of Mahayuti’s trouble lies in the growing disenchantment among tribal voters — a critical demographic across several Assembly constituencies. The government’s recent proposal to grant tribal status to the Dhangar community, which would potentially affect existing reservation shares, has only deepened the divide. Many tribal voters had tilted decisively toward MVA in the Lok Sabha elections, as was evident in the Nandurbar seat, which saw the BJP’s former two-time MP, Dr. Heena Gavit lose to the Congress Gowaal Padvi, who pulled off a major upset win.


Besides coping with tribal sentiment, the Mahayuti has to contend with growing dissent within its own ranks, notably in Nashik. A political tussle between allies – Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP – has erupted in Nashik where new twists threatening the stability of traditional strongholds.

Suhas Kande, the Shiv Sena MLA from Nandgaon, recently signalled his intent to move his political base to Yeola— the turf long dominated by the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s Chhagan Bhujbal. This shift is a direct counter to Bhujbal’s nephew, Sameer, who embarrassed his uncle by announced his independent bid for Kande’s Nandgaon seat.


Kande’s claim over Yeola has escalated the standoff between two well-known families, with the Yeola constituency now caught in the crossfire.


Kande’s assertion is predicated on the fact that Yeola has a sizeable number of Maratha voters, who are reportedly opposed to Bhujbal given that the veteran NCP leader, with his combative stance against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, has alienated Maratha voters in Yeola – where Bhujbal has been a three-term MLA.


Kande’s challenge to Bhujbal underscores a deep-seated rivalry, dating back to 2019 when he defeated Chhagan Bhujbal’s son, Pankaj, for the Nandgaon seat. This latest move has stirred apprehension within the Shiv Sena camp, as leaders worry that Kande’s shift might weaken their presence in Nandgaon.

However, with nephew Sameer taking an independent path, Bhujbal appears confident of his influence over Yeola, predicting a margin increase over his previous win.


Meanwhile, the BJP is going along with tried and tested names in its list for north Maharashtra, where notable endorsements include incumbent MLAs like Girish Mahajan and Vijaykumar Gavit. A few fresh faces like Anup Agarwal in Dhule City, Amol Jawale in Raver, and Pratibha Pachpute in Shrigonda are expected to invigorate the party’s campaign here. While the list reflects continuity in regions where the party holds sway, some Nashik city BJP members are less than pleased, with dissenting noises made over the perceived anti-incumbency  of some legislators who have been renominated.

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