JNU, ‘reactionary Hinduism’: RSS brass is worried

With the Narendra Modi government facing all-round criticism over the JNU incident, the issue, along with the Jat quota row and incidents of “reactionary Hinduism”, could dominate the RSS’ Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) beginning next week at Nagaur, Rajasthan.

A section within the RSS top brass, it is learnt, is of the view that the JNU issue was “mishandled” by the government and, as a result, it had to face flak. Speculation is rife that BJP president Amit Shah, expected to attend this meet, could also announce his new team ahead of the three-day ABPS meet beginning March 11. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Bhaiyya Joshi are to chair the meet. The RSS’ highest decision-making body is the ABPS, which also see Sangh Parivar affiliates presenting report cards on various initiatives taken by them through the year as well as new initiatives to be undertaken by them this year.

In an apparent hint at the JNU incident, Mr Bhagwat had recently said the new generation needs to be taught to chant slogans “hailing mother India”. There is a growing sense in the RSS that the government had “mishandled” the issue as instead of the “anti-national” aspect of the entire issue, the government came under criticism for its domineering tactics and for pushing its ideological position.

In what could create more trouble for the government in Parliament, Union minister V.K. Singh on Saturday targeted JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar for calling Rohith Vemula his inspiration, alleging that the dalit scholar had organised a meeting in support of Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon.

Sources said that the issue of “growing incidents of reactionary Hinduism”, especially after the NDA came to power, is something that the RSS wants to deal with firmly as it feels it brings a bad name to both the Sangh Parivar as well as the BJP-led government at the Centre. The VHP’s recent statement disowning controversial sanyasin Sadhvi Prachi was seen as an action in this direction.

Another issue expected to dominate the meet is the Jat quota agitation witnessed in the Manohar Lal Khattar-ruled Haryana recently. Mr Khattar, sources disclosed, had a meeting with the RSS supremo on Friday where the Jat quota issue was thoroughly discussed. Mr Bhagwat was in Kurukshetra for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Gita Gyanam Sansthanam. After the Jat agitation in Haryana, voices have started growing within the BJP’s state unit for a change in leadership as they feel that Mr Khattar, a first-time MLA, has failed to rein in the Opposition as well as dissidents within the party.

The RSS top brass could also take up with the BJP leadership the issue of coordination between the organisation, Central government and other Sangh Parivar affiliates. Sources disclosed that the RSS feels there is a lack of coordination within the BJP as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to himself repeatedly ask and remind party leaders to highlight various government schemes. The BJP’s preparedness for the coming Assembly elections might also be discussed with the RSS top brass.

More than 1,400 Sangh Parivar volunteers from across the country are expected to attend the ABPS meet, which will see various current socio-political issues being discussed. State-wise activities of the RSS will also be reviewed. Though the meeting begins March 11, RSS top leaders have started reaching Nagaur to hold parleys ahead of the main event. Mr Bhagwat is likely to arrive in Nagaur on Sunday.