National scene Atmosphere is building up

National scene

Atmosphere is building up all over the country for the coming general elections for the 14th Lok Sabha, dates of which have also been announced. During the campaign, full-steam efforts will be made by political parties to project themselves in shining light and denounce the opponents. However, people all over the country have to see the truth through this massive smokescreen of publicity and choose the rulers of the country for the coming five years based on their ideology, ability, character and performance. Those who have utmost commitment for the welfare of the country and balanced mind can only do justice to this selection. As enlightened citizens, our Swayamsevaks will certainly act appropriately keeping their responsibility and limits in mind. Political power is only an institution created by the society for its transformation. It is the society that is sovereign and supreme. Swayamsevaks understand this truth well; hence they can perform their duty as well as understand their limits well.

India’sstatus has continued to grow in the international arena this year also. Economic indicators project progress on the economic front too. Pakistan was compelled to talk the language of dialogue. Bharat is emerging as a strong leader for South-east Asian countries as well as under-developed Third World countries. Inflation is under control, prices of commodities are stable and there is marked improvement in transport and communications. In the economic, political and even sports field, a new enthusiasm imbued with a will for victory is found all over the country.

But the situation doesn’tcall for any complacency or satisfaction with all these good signs. There is a lot more to be done, a lot is still left unfinished. Political power alone cannot create a society committed to parama vaibhav – all-round glorious development. We also notice that after reaching the portals of power our Swayamsevaks also get stuck in the discipline, obligations and formalities of that system. Thus, the only way to create a vibrant, cohesive and developed nation is to create a dedicated and disciplined organisation of men with sterling character and utmost commitment to the national cause.

Developments in the last one year underscore this imperative. A massive movement for the re-construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya has been going on since 1984 under the guidance of the Hindu saints and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. This year also we have witnessed efforts by anti-Hindu forces to obstruct the programmes planned at Ayodhya on October 17, 2003. Some people sitting in the portals of power have displayed their sadistic attitude of deliberately causing hurt to Hindu sentiments by creating hurdles to the programme and forces are able to dare do these things only because of lack of awakening in the Hindu society. It is this mindset that has resulted in slamming of sedition charges against Dr. Praveen Togadia and jailing him in Ajmer.

However, a realisation that this kind of political misdemeanour inspired by the arrogance of power and with an eye on vote banks will instead of stemming give a further boost to the Hindu awakening, is gradually dawning on those forces. There are indications of this realisation and resultant improvement in the situation. The Prime Minister and his deputy themselves have taken initiative to identify, isolate and marginalise the anti-Hindu schemers and evil-minded forces, and publicly declared their commitment to build a massive Ram Mandir by creating a conducive atmosphere in the country.

The Islamic clergy of Deoband have advised their co-religionists to banish cow-slaughter during Id-ul-Zuha calling it hurtful to Hindu sentiments and declaring that it has no religious sanctity in Islam. Conferences organised at 54 places successfully by organisations like My Hindustan and Bharatiya Muslim Parishad with the objective of mobilising nationalist opinion among Muslims and creating an atmosphere of goodwill have sent positive signals in the country. While the so-called minorities are exhibiting examples of wisdom like this now and then due to the rising awareness in the Hindu society, certain political parties that are after the vote banks of these sections are hell bent on creating hurdles in the way of a constitutional ban on cow-slaughter. Manifestation of growing Hindu awakening on the political front will also put an end to this dichotomy for ever. These forces should be made to meet the same fate that the treacherous minority-appeasing and Hindu-bashing parties met with in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The scenario of social harmony and social security in the country also signifies the realisation of the importance of Hindu awakening. The government’spolicy of taking initiative for talks on one hand and acting sternly as and when required to crush the problem of terrorism by coordinating with neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, etc., on the other, has yielded fruitful results. But at the same time renewed efforts are being launched under new faces and labels by forces wanting to exploit the inequalities and differences prevailing in our society to widen the gulf and create ill-will. They come in attractive names like Bhopal Declaration, World Social Forum, etc. But if we carefully study their language, the amount of money they spend and source of that money; background and ideology of the invitee groups and individuals, etc., they all smack of a sinister coalition of the Church, the anti-Hindu political groups and secessionist elements.

The Kerala government has no doubt acceded to many of the demands of the Hindu society, which got awakened after the brutal murder of eight Hindu fishermen on the Marad beach. However, the main demand for a CBI probe into the machinations of anti-national forces behind these murders has not been agreed to, due to the pressure of Muslim League on the state government. Migrant Kashmiri Hindus and the patriotic people of Jammu and Ladakh who are threatened by the hanging sword of Rehabilitation Act have also been waiting in vain for a solution to their problems. Their demand for the reorganisation of the state has also remained under wraps only. Infiltration is continuing unabated in areas contiguous to Bangladesh border in Bihar, Bengal and the North-east. In Assam, efforts are on to legitimise the status of these infiltrators using the loopholes in the laws. Bihar is in the grip of these forces that are taking advantage of the under-development of the state and securing the protection of communalist and mafia gangs. Fear-struck people express concerns in hushed voices that the state is going the Kashmir way. Frank and forthright discussions should take place with Bangladesh government to put an end to this menace of infiltration. Sustained and determined efforts are expected of the Central and state governments to push back the infiltrators across the borders, and bust the anti-national communalist mafia modules operating in the border states.

In this background, the situation calls for ceaseless alertness and active mobilisation on the part of the forces of goodwill and harmony in the country. It is also necessary that the Swayamsevaks take guidance from the samarasata workshop held at Mumbai and actively work towards strengthening the nationalist forces in the country.

Achievements on the economic front and progress in the basic development infrastructure like roads, telecommunications, etc., create an atmosphere of enthusiasm. But it is also important to ensure that the benefits reach the last man of the country. Economic policies should be such that the benefits flow to the last man and he experiences them. Real development indicators are not the figures we find in statistics but the lives of the people living in the lowest strata of our country. Following of the Hindutva-inspired economic vision can only fulfill these ambitions. Only economic policies fired with the spirit of swah, and an awakened, accommodative and vibrant society that understands the societal and national needs, aspirations and objectives can achieve the objective in this direction. It is these factors that will make us competent in the international economic competition and demonstrate a Cancun-style strength and determination.

The Call

In conclusion, I would like to emphasise the fact that the country has started yielding the fruits of the sustained efforts through personal penance and motivating the society by the Sangh and all other well-meaning people in the country in their own methods and ways. Our march is progressing on the path of a rejuvenated, vibrant, united and ennobled Bharat. In order to gain the strength to pursue this path, the very first pre-requisite will be an ever-alert and united state of the society.

Our Swayamsevaks are engaged in serving the society for the last 79 years?passing through happy and difficult phases of indifference, ridicule, opposition and admiration with equanimity and determination; not allowing differences even when there are differing views; united and maintaining utmost restraint and discretion in mind, language and deeds. Situation today underscores the significance and sustaining such efforts only. Favourable atmosphere in the country shouldn’tsend us into a deep slumber of sweet dreams; it should instead motivate us to further the pace of our activity. Atmosphere is favourable and conducive for us to move forward continuously and make our activity omnipresent and all-inclusive in a planned and sustained way. Let us seize this opportunity and influence the society with our activity, ideas and ideals at the earliest. Let us work hard to make our own lives the vehicles of this holy activity and embodiment of values. Bharat Mata ki Jai