– Ramesh Chander
(Samaj Weekly)- Mohan Bhagwat on Reservation for socially marginalized – Sarsanghchalak of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat has made an important statement with regard to reservations to the socially marginalized sections of the society and reiterated his views on this much maligned and widely debated issue of reservations as provided in the constitution of India. While speaking at a function in Nagpur recently Mohan Bhagwat said, “We kept our own fellow human beings behind in the social system. We did not care for them, which continued for almost 2,000 years. Until we provide them equality, some special remedies have to be done.” and added, “Reservations have to continue till there is such discrimination.” It seems that things have come full circle due to the ‘Ambedkar Affect’ which I elaborated in my earlier blog. The new statement of the RSS Supremo is a clear departure from his earlier position articulated eight years ago, when he had called for a review of the system of quotas (Reservations). This is a review of the RSS’s stand on caste-based reservations over the decades.
Let us not create any controversy on this important statement and take it on its face value till it is not proved to the contrary. The ball is in their court not only as the mentor of the ruling outfit, BJP but also as the strongest proponent of the main stream of the society, the Hindus. It is said that ‘the taste of the pudding lies in its eating’. Reservations have been provided in the constitution as an ‘affirmative action’ by the state to bring about social equality or let us say ‘Samrasta’ as RSS itself profess in the society. It is a matter of regret and worry that so far no government and the civic society could deliver in implementing the Reservation provisions sincerely. The vested interests who are opposing the Reservations are encouraged to shout from the roof tops by the Thekedars of the society in consonance with their ‘socio-cultural’ ethos ordained by ‘Manuwad’ – dividing society on the basis of caste. This is the root cause of the problem. RSS and the main stream of the society ought to think and come out of the ‘lip service’ mode to integrate the socially weaker sections of the society and bring about the much flouted plank of ‘Samrasta’. I stand for Samrasta in spite of the fact that many of my friends caution and even criticize me for doing so. There is no point in elaborating it here. Let us join hands in this regard and negate the Allama Iqbal who said and still appears good.
Iqbal Bada Updeshak Hai Man Batton Se Moh Letta Hai
Gufftar Ka To Yeh Gazi Bana Kirdar Ka Gazi Ban Na Saka
इक़बाल बड़ा उपदेशक है, मन बातों से मोह लेता है
गुफ्तार का तो ये गाजी बना, किरदार का गाजी बन ना सका
***
Bharat – Akhand Bharat – Of late, a fresh debate, often acrimonious, on the name of our country has started as if we don’t have anything more important to discuss in these challenging times. The constituent Assembly fully debated the issue and described in the very first article of the constitution – Name and territory of the Union – “India that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”. I don’t understand the controversy. Frankly, to my mind, it gives strength to the lobby which has apprehensions that the right wing Hindu outfits, currently the ruling dispensations, intend to change the constitution. The media (The Tribune) has reported that Mohan Bhagwat Sahib said in his response to a question on the issue “India vs Bharat” issue and the concept of ‘Akhand Bharat,’ the RSS chief expressed that embracing the identity of ‘Bharat’ entails embracing the authentic culture of the nation and added “Those who separated from Bharat feel they have made a mistake…Bharat hona yani Bharat ke swabhav ko svikar karna.” I only hope that there is no hidden agenda in the guise of these avoidable controversies. India is Bharat and would remain so. It may not be out of place to mention that as a matter of habitual routine I tend to say ‘Hindostan’ instead of India or Bharat in my day to day talk. Some of my friends, particularly those who oppose the idea of ‘India as a Hindu State’, object to this and advise me to say India or Bharat and not Hindostan. I see their point. The interesting fact is that the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar already use Jai Bheem and Jai Bharat in their routine salutations intentionally and rightly so.. By now, it seems the Government of PM Narendra Modi is all set to officially change the name of India to Bharat. It would create an avoidable friction in the polity and society of India that is Bharat. India is Bharat and Bharat is India. Coming to the ‘outdated’ idea of Akhand Bharat, again I must say that I don’t understand this. Is it possible to put the clock back? Pakistan and Bangladesh are sovereign countries on the world map. They are Islamic countries unlike Bharat which is a secular country. Why do we need to increase our problems? On one hand, communal scenario is becoming a serious problem because of increasing ‘confidence deficit’ between the majority Hindus and minority Muslims and on the other, the idea of Akhand Bharat would tend to make Bharat as the largest Muslim populated country. Why don’t we talk of Nepal which was the only Hindu Kingdom till recently, a Hindu majority country, to join Akhand Bharat? Let us shed this utopian thinking. Some of these things do not make any sense to me. RSS is a potent force. If it intends to bring about real reform in the society they would need to think big. Without saying more, let me quote from an article, We are one family, Really written by Mohit Mahajan, appeared in the Tribune in the wake of just concluded G-20 Submit as some food for thought, “The wonderful notion of inclusivity in the phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (‘the whole world is a family’) takes one’s breath away — the loftiness of the idea, the impossibility of achieving it!
Bharat wishes to spread this spirit of brotherhood across the world. It’s an ambition that must be praised. But if you’re even slightly interested in political events and discussions taking place around you — communal violence in Nuh, Manipur, the debate over Sanatan Dharma and India-Bharat, to name only a few of the burning issues — it would be clear that the we need to urgently implement ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ in our own country first. We’re not a family in India — we’re tribal people most comfortable in silos of religion, caste, sub-caste, ethnicity, language, culture, and more.”
We need to learn and set the matter in perspective.
Jara Dekh Jo Kuch Ho Raha; Hone wala Hai,
Bhala Rakha Kya Hai Ahde Kuhan Ki Dastano Mein
जरा देख जो कुछ हो रहा; होने वाला है,
भला रक्खा क्या है अहदे कुहन की दास्तानों में
