RSS tells government: Tackle campus ‘subversives’

Urging the Narendra Modi government to “deal with” the “subversive elements” who made “universities their den”, the RSS Friday asked how slogans calling for breaking up and destroying India could be tolerated. These remarks came on the first day of a three-day meet of the RSS’ Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, its highest decision-making body, being held at Nagaur in Rajasthan.

The meeting, attended by over 1,400 swayamsewaks and representatives of Sangh affiliates, including the BJP, will adopt resolutions on social harmony, education and healthcare. The meet was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. A discussion on changing the RSS’ khaki shorts uniform could also be held during this meeting.

Reservations and building of the Ayodhya Ram temple could be also discussed if raised at the meeting, said RSS joint general secretary Krishna Gopal.

A report submitted by RSS second-in-command Bhaiyya Joshi said: “How, in the name of freedom of expression, can slogans calling for breaking up and destruction of the nation be tolerated, and how those guilty and punished as per the law be honoured and eulogised as martyrs This is an anti-national act in itself... More serious is that these subversive elements have made these universities their den for years and no action is initiated against them.”

The RSS asked the Centre and state government to “deal strictly” with anti-national and anti-social forces, and that the sanctity and cultural atmosphere of educational institutions be maintained so they do not end up becoming “centres of political activities”. It said the violent quota protests in Gujarat and Haryana were a “threat to social harmony and trust”.

The RSS also said there shouldn’t be any politics over a “sensitive” issue like the entry of women in temples and it should be resolved by discussions instead of protests.