‘How can MEA be politically partisan?’

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) should not be characterised as a politically ‘committed’ instrument of the ruling party, said former diplomats and politicians.

The need to protect the MEA from ideological colouring came up, after a booklet on Bharatiya Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay, published by the Ministry highlighted the ruling BJP and indicated the primacy of ‘Bharatiya’ ideas in defining Indian nationalism.

“In place of foreign ‘isms’, he called for Integral Humanism, cultural nationalism, and Indianization. From 1951 to 1967, he remained general secretary of the Bharatiya Jansangh. He got the responsibility as president in 1968. Suddenly he was murdered. Only the party, Bharatiya Janata Party, developed by him became the political alternative,” the booklet stated and also indicated that Bharatiya culture is the core of the Indian nation.

“Anyone who abandons Dharma, betrays the nation,” said the booklet.

Birth centenary

Reports suggested that the publication of the booklet, which coincides with the birth centenary celebration of Deendayal Upadhyay, has drawn criticism from former diplomats, including former Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon who told an online news portal that it was ‘sad’ to find the MEA promoting one ideological position.

“I find it incomprehensible and sad that the MEA, which should represent India, has chosen to be politically partisan like this. …The IFS [Indian Foreign Service] resisted previous attempts to make us ‘committed bureaucrats’ and should do so again. Indian courts have given clear judgments which contradict some of what this ‘book’ alleges,” he told an online publication.

Tharoor backs Menon

Mr. Menon’s opinion was supported by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor who took to social media and asked for withdrawal of the booklet.

NCP leader Devi Prasad Tripathi, who is publishing a volume on Deendayal Upadhyay, also criticised the MEA’s publication and said the ruling party’s ideology should not be promoted through the Ministries.

“I am publishing a volume on Deendayal Upadhyay as he was a significant figure in Indian political history but I want to state clearly that that it is highly improper to politicise the Ministries,” said Dr. Tripathi.

Deendayal Upadhyay began his activism in the RSS and at the time of his death, had set up the Bharatiya Jan Sangh as a major anti-Congress entity.