Opinion Unravelling plots

“The Maharashtra ATS (MATS) has evidence in its possession to show that the accused in the Malegaon blast case,Col Purohit and Dayanand Pandey,were simultaneously plotting to eliminate Shri Mohanrao Bhagwat,the then Sarkaryavah — general secretary — of the RSS (currently the sarsanghachalak),and a senior RSS leader,Shri Indresh Kumar… The CD recordings showed the conspirators spewing venom at the RSS and the BJP. This extra-judicial confession conclusively proved that the RSS was a target of the accused persons in the Malegaon case,” said the letter.

“But despite being in possession of such explosive,critical and specific evidence of the plot,the MATS took a ‘conscious decision’ and told the Bombay high court in July 2010 that,as there was nothing ‘specific’,‘no further action is required to be taken’.” The letter added that “the RSS had decided,in good faith,to leave the issue to MATS,the Maharashtra and Central governments. But with the MATS criminally forsaking its basic duty under the law and the governments at the state and at the Centre keeping silent about it,the RSS is taking legal advice about its future course of action.”

Uphill battle

A Panchjanya editorial focused on the influence exerted by the Maoists in the election of Nepal’s prime minister,after 16 failed attempts in earlier months. It cautioned Delhi,asking it to keep a constant watch on the situation evolving in Nepal,given that it has been a security buffer for India in the Himalayan region. “Prachanda and his group created obstacles against the formation of a democratic government in Nepal resulting in the stalemate of the last seven months… Finally,when Jhalanath Khanal succeeded as the prime minister in the 17th attempt,the price that is being tried to be extracted by Prachanda for his support has emerged as a fresh thorn in the throne of the new government,” says an editorial. It warns the Indian government: “Reports suggest that Prachanda has managed to secure the formation of a new security force for the People’s Liberation Army of the Maoists. These kinds of compromises pose a serious challenge to the future of Nepal. What is also worrisome is the fact that China is stoking anti-India sentiments there in the absence of a democratic nationalist government in Nepal.”

Down in UP

Panchjanya carries two pages of reports on the alleged anarchy in Uttar Pradesh under the Mayawati administration. “The strictures and warnings from high court,National Commission for Women,and National SC/ST Commission against the involvement of her ministers and MLAs have made no difference to Mayawati. Violence against the women is only going up under Maya-raj. Criminals are uncontrolled and organised crime is on the upswing,” says a report.

Operation hearts and minds

Panchjanya has a news story about a meeting of Hindu seers in Allahabad,who warned the government against ascribing bad motives to the Hindu community and took a resolution for a “stand-alone temple” at Ayodhya. The report also carried a picture of senior VHP functionary Pravin Togadia along with his exhortations: “Union home minister and the Congress party are speaking the language of Jinnah. While Jinnah carved a single Pakistan,these people are dreaming of carving out 10 Pakistans.”

The latest issue of Organiser has the Narmada Samajik Kumbh organised by the RSS in Madhya Pradesh as its cover story,titled “A historic initiative for social harmony,national unity”. It also carried an editorial lambasting those who criticised the congregation. “The unwarranted protest of some Christian leaders over the Kumbh and the instant support of the Congress party to them only confirm the long-held suspicion that the Congress and the UPA government are actively abetting religious conversion of tribals and adivasis,” it says,pointing out that the previous Kumbh organised in 2006 in Dangs (Gujarat) successfully strengthened “the fabric of the society and nationalism”.

“There is absolutely no reason for the Christian leaders to express ‘fear’ over this Samajik Kumbh. They have said that the Kumbh is an event for reconversion of tribals,from Christianity back to the Hindu fold. Their ‘fear’ only goes to prove that they have been indulging in coercive and aggressive conversions unchallenged,and any sign of resistance is giving them jitters. The Kumbh’s objective is not reconversion. And even if it is,what right does any community have to protest? If Christians and Muslims have a right to carry on conversions…,the Hindus have double the right to bring the converts back to their original faith. It must be made clear,once and for all,that as long as conversions take place,anti-conversion and reconversions efforts will be made by Hindus,” the Organiser editorial said.