RSS now extends its swadeshi programme to churches

The BJP was quick to defend the RSS chief’s annual Vijayadashami statement which is a reflection of the organisation’s official stand on issues. “We believe that the Indian Christians are capable of spreading Jesus Christ’s message across the country. They need not seek the help of foreign missionaries,” senior leader J P Mathur said in New Delhi today. “It has been noticed that in many areas, particularly in the north-east, the foreign missionaries have created unhealthy and undesirable elements,” he added.

Sudershan asked the Christians in India to take the initiative by setting up their own church on the lines of the Orthodox Syrian church and the Marthoma church in Kerala.

Citing instances to buttress his argument, the RSS chief accused the Baptist church of playing havoc in Tripura where the Hindus were being driven out and tribals harassed in the name of Christianity.

He denied that the RSS was anti-Christian and anti-Islamic, as was being made out by certain quarters. “None of the Hindu organisations were found guilty of criminal assault on a nun in Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, the killing of an Australian missionary and his two sons in Orissa and the attack on missionary schools in Agra,” he said.

On the contrary, Sudershan added, a terrorist outfit, Deendar Anjuman, was found to be involved in carrying out the bomb blasts in churches in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa.

The RSS chief also urged the Muslims to keep a vigil on anti-national activities of Pakistan’s inter-services intelligence (ISI) and provide information about it to the authorities.

He avoided commenting on the Government’s handling of national affairs but expressed concern over economic issues like the hike in petrol and oil prices and the need to promote Swadeshi in a bigger way to counter the invasion of multi-nationals in the name of globalisation. “The path of development as shown by the Western countries was based on the principle of exploitation and suits their own interests.”

He took a strong exception to the wooing of Western corporate bosses and lamented that people in this country were yet to set themselves free of the attraction of Gori-chamdi (fair skin). The reference, apparently, was to the reception accorded to Microsoft head Bill Gates by chief ministers of various states.

Referring to the Islamic fundamentalism, Sudershan said, the class of mullas and maulvis controlling the Muslim community in the country, has not allowed its members to either identify themselves with their ancestors or proclaim their commitment to the country.

“They (mullas) want that the Indian Muslim should relate himself with aggressors like Mehmood Gaznavi, Taimoorlang and Aurangzeb instead of Ram or Krishna.” It was this mentality that resulted in the demolition of the “disputed structure” at Ayodhya in December 1992, he said.

The RSS chief called upon the Muslims in the country to go for an apt Indianisation of Islam that would enable them be a part of the national mainstream and live with pride and security. “If Muslims in Indonesia can put their faith in Ram and Krishna, why not in India.”

Breaking from the tradition, the organisers did not stage the RSS march-past at this year’s rally. The speeches were preceded by an impressive demonstration of combat drills, physical exercises like Yogasanas, and group song.

Indianise Islam: RSS Chief

* Christian missionaries “divisive”. Swadeshi churches as in China needed.

* Leftists and the “Euro-Indians”, including the English media, look at India through the eyes of Western countries.

* Baptist Mission is working overtime for creating an independent state in Tripura.

* Indianise Islam. “If Muslims in Indonesia can put their faith in Ram and Krishna, why not in India.”

* Swadeshi only alternative to curb multi-nationals. World Bank, IMF, WTO are exploitative.