Thus spake Golwalkar

The year-long birth centenary celebrations of the second RSS sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar concluded on February 18 this year.

The year-long birth centenary celebrations of the second RSS sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar concluded on February 18 this year. This week8217;s issue of Organiser gives detailed round-ups on how the year was observed through innumerable meetings and 8216;Hindu sammelans8217; throughout the country.

But more interesting are the excerpts from Golwalkar8217;s own writings that are regarded as gospel by RSS swayamsevaks. While decrying the desire for political power, for instance, Golwalkar reveals Hindutva8217;s animus not just to Islam but Buddhism as well. He writes: 8220;In the past, Buddhism and Islam were propagated because of the desire for power and even today, many non-Hindu ideas are seen to be spreading because of the desire to achieve power.8221; He also says that a 8220;huge Buddhist empire was created8221; and 8220;efforts were made to destroy everything related to Hinduism in the name of the Buddha.8221;

But Hinduism has survived all onslaughts because it was not dependent on political power. According to Golwalkar, 8220;So long as we continue to keep alive our cultural traditions, we shall remain alive. 8221;

Long before the recent controversy on Vande Mataram, Golwalkar strongly objected to efforts to make the singing of the national song voluntary and not compulsory. According to him, 8220;The Hindu worships his motherland, bows before it, places his head at its feet and resolves to sacrifice himself for its greatness. .. If a Muslim too says that he is also the son of this land, it is essential that he should say Vande Mataram with complete faith and sentiments. If objections are raised to it, the conclusion that will be derived is that the Muslims have no love for the country as their motherland.8221;

Similarly, Golwalkar8217;s comments on Kashmir, banning cow slaughter, Nepal, Tibet et al show that even 30 years after his death, 8220;Guruji8221; remains the principal ideologue of the Sangh Parivar.

Create the Hindu vote

At the World Hindu Conference at the recent Ardh Kumbh mela, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad passed a resolution on the need to create a Hindu vote bank, says a report from Allahabad. The resolution felt 8220;the cause of Bharat8217;s underdevelopment is the lack of Hindu8217;s political power. So-called secular forces are taking its advantage. Hence Hindus must create Hindu vote-bank, forgetting their caste discriminations. If the hundred crore Hindus of Bharat have to live with dignity, installation of pro-Hindu government is an urgent necessity.8221;

Emulate Israel

In an article on the UPA8217;s alleged softness towards terrorism, former RSS spokesman Ram Madhav cannot contain his admiration for Israel8217;s brutal response. Two days after an Israeli attack on a Lebanese village Kfar Kana on July 31, 2006 that left scores of innocent children dead, the Israeli prime minister came out with a statement. 8220;And what a statement it was!8221; exults Madhav, quoting the Israeli PM8217;s unapologetic words. The PM had said: 8220;We will not hesitate, we will not apologise and we will not back off. If they continue to launch missiles into Israel from Kfar Kana, we will continue to bomb Kfar Kana. Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Here, there and everywhere.8221; Madhav goes on to write, 8220;When can we hear such words of courage and conviction from our leaders?8221; before lambasting the UPA for turning India into a 8216;soft state8217;.

Compiled by Manini Chatterjee