The Sangh's stand

The Organiser this week has focused chiefly on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent five-day visit to Jammu, and the theme of nationhood. In various meetings, Bhagwat asserted the principle of one Constitution and one flag for India, an issue that the Sangh has been raising since 1953. Maintaining that Kashmir is an integral part of India, the sarsanghachalak also reiterated that "lakhs of Hindus and other nationalist people" had been forced to leave Kashmir by militants and separatists.

Bhagwat advocated institutional arrangements to redress discrimination against Jammu and Ladakh, but did not spell out what these could be.

It was clear that the issue of "saffron terror" the reported involvement of persons linked with the RSS getting involved in terror incidents  was troubling the Sangh. Bhagwat raised the matter in his meetings, denying any and all allegations and maintaining that it was part of a vicious campaign launched by the Congress-led government, and that Hinduism never advocated universal brotherhood. At the same time, though, he distanced the organisation from those who have been arrested so far.

Bhagwat also highlighted the threat from China and accused the government of lacking the will to fight against external or internal threats. "China is threatening us. It is tampering with our borders," he said in the backdrop of reports that Chinese troops had intruded into Indian

territory in the Churmur area of Ladakh in August.

Sonia Gandhi's privacy

Organiser's lead editorial makes a direct attack on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the clout she holds within the political system without any accountability. "Sonia Gandhi today represents a power centre outside the Indian Constitution. She does not hold any office in the government but nothing in the government can happen without her consent and blessing" it says. The editoral questions the "mystery" surrounding her recent illness. Without providing any substantation, the article contends that Gandhi went abroad for treatment on tax-payers' money, was transported in a chartered plane and an entire floor was booked for her in an elite health resort.

... contd.

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