RSS Sarkaryavah Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, in an interview to the Indian Express, said that it is important for both the government and the protestors to find a common ground and put an end to this ongoing Farmers’ agitation. Bhaiyyaji Joshi said, “It is important to find that point where the two sides can agree and the agitation can end. Any agitation running for long is not beneficial. No one should have a problem with an agitation taking place. But a middle ground must be found. Agitation does not just affect people associated with it, but also impacts society, directly or indirectly. It is not good for the health of society for any agitation to run for too long. So a middle ground must be found and both sides must work to find a solution.”
Calling for the democratic participation from both the sides, Bhaiyyaji said, “Democracy provides an opportunity to both sides. I consider both sides right (in) their place. Agitators must consider that whatever they can get through dialogue, they must accept. The government must think about what more it can give. Agitations run and they end as well. So a movement must consider the space it has, and the government should be mindful of its own. Because a government has to make several provisions, it has limited space, while those demanding have more.”
Criticising the agitator’s hesitation to resolve the crisis by engaging in dialogue with the government, Bhaiyyaji said, “I believe farmers must have a discussion with the government over issues they have with the laws. Until now, it appears the government is ready to discuss. There should be a positive initiative from both sides. If agitators also take a positive approach it will be good.”
“All I will say is that rigidity has crept into the whole issue. Who are the people behind this, must be investigated. Are there such elements who do not want a resolution to come through? This should be probed,” he added
When asked about the recent ‘anti-love jihad laws’, Bhayaji Replied, “Is it OK to lure someone and then convert them? Today it is happening in many states. First declare yourself as a Hindu, start a relationship and then reveal your true identity while marrying. There is no objection to people falling in love and marrying. But there is a difference between love marriage and love jihad. On one side, there is love and consensus, on another side there is allurement. So if something is being done through falsehood, there should be a law to deal with it. Now how tough the law should be and who should be protected, only experts can tell.”
Responding to the ‘Taandav’ controversy, Bhaiyyaji said that creative freedom does not mean you will hurt the sentiments of any society on the basis of unproven facts. When asked about the future of India-China relation, he said, “India has never shown aggression towards China or Pakistan. We have only answered their aggression. So we have always remained positive. Now they have to think about what kind of relationship they want with us”
