Opinion The Sangh’s stand

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.

It underlines the point that while Amitabh Bachchan,Rajinikanth and even the prime minister,Manmohan Singh,released details of their health-care,Sonia Gandhi has been secretive about her treatment. It also adds to the rumours by pointing to videos circulating on YouTube about her son-in-law Robert Vadra and his alleged links with corporates and business houses.

Raising the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s religion,the editorial says that she has continued to refuse to divulge it. “Sonia Gandhi and her unseen power is very much reminiscent of the decadent communist regimes where secrecy was the password and transparency an

unheard-of phenomenon… We have in place a right to information act. But

information relating to the Sonia household is still shrouded in mystery,” it claims.

Rift in the lute

Panchajanya’s lead editorial draws the reader’s attention to the growing rift between the United States and Pakistan over the fight against terrorism. Tension over the ISI’s discreet support to the Haqqani group in Afghanistan has gained new proportions,it says,with legislation tabled in the US Senate even seeking to withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan. The editorial contends that Pakistan is now playing into the hands of China,which is actively involved in Afghanistan. The bigger question now,it says,is whether the US will learn its lessons and change its strategy vis-a-vis Pakistan.