Opinion Taking the RSS reins

In the cover story of the latest issue of Organiser,titled “Sudarshanji hands over reins after leading the Sangh for a decade of great expansion and ascent: New chief renews hope,mission to unite Hindus,” Baldevbhai Sharma writes: “The most important outcome of the second day of the Pratinidhi Sabha (in Nagpur on March 22) was the nomination of Mohan Bhagwat as the new Sarsanghachalak. Citing the health reasons for his inability to continue as the Sarsanghachalak,KS Sudarshan announced the name of Mohan Bhagwat as his successor. Recalling the previous sarsanghachalaks,Sudarshan said he held the responsibility of the sarsanghachalak for nine years. ‘Shri Guruji used to say the Sangh work moves with its own speed and we all are just the nimitt (cause) of it. It is my fortune that I too was able to become a cause in this pious work. Mohanrao is a very proficient and capable activist and we have seen his rare qualities when he discharged various responsibilities in the organisation. It is with his consent that I have decided to hand over the responsibility of Sarsanghachalak to him,’ he said.”

Sharma,who edits Panchajanya ¿ the RSS journal in Hindi,further writes: “After the announcement,a pin-drop silence engulfed the hall for a moment. Mohan Bhagwat stood from his seat and sought the blessings of his seniors by touching their feet. Sudarshan then formally entrusted him with the responsibility of the organisation chief. Senior Sangh Pracharak Ranga Hari felicitated Bhagwat by presenting him a bouquet and a shawl. Taking over the responsibility with humility,Mohan Bhagwat said he feels a kind of fear when he looks at the divine life and great personalities of the previous Sarsanghachalaks. ‘But at the same time,I feel confident because of the blessings of all of you and we all have to achieve our objectives together. Pujya Bala Sahebji used to say that the Sangh has a rare team of dedicated workers and the Sangh work grows on the basis of this team. I hope I shall be able to hold this responsibility with my full strength’.”

ABVP rocks the vote 

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A news item titled “Nationwide campaign by ABVP to educate young voters” says: “Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is going to launch a countrywide campaign to educate the young voters. The campaign to be started in all the states from first week of April will be taken up on different dates in different states. According to Vishnu Dutt Sharma,national general secretary of ABVP,preparations for the campaign have been made in all the states. Sharma,in a statement said about 65 per cent of the total population of the country is youth and about 45 per cent of them have voting right. He said the youth couldn’t elect a capable government until they are aware of the real condition of the country. It is with the objective to educate the youth of the present condition the ABVP has taken the decision to launch the nationwide drive. It would appeal to the youth to think,consider the nation’s betterment before voting for any candidate or political party. ‘We get the right to vote at the age of 18. During this drive,we will appeal to the youth to think over the various national issues before voting for any party,’ said Sharma.”

The item adds: “Sharma pointed out that during the campaign the youth would be requested to elect only those leaders who would not compromise on nation’s security at any cost,enact laws against those who give shelter to terrorism,expatriate the Bangladeshi infiltrators,hang Afzal to death,discard the proposals of Sachar committee,create new avenues of employment and education for youth,stop commercialisation of education,bring Indianisation in education,stop appeasement in education field,give first right to poor subjects on national resources and not to Muslims and respect the martyrs,heritage and culture of the nation¿ ABVP has printed some pamphlets,posters,banners and stickers on the theme. Short messages would also be sent through mobiles and some corner and gate meetings would be organised to educate the youth”.

Compiled by Suman K Jha