Opinion Speech Ritual

An editorial blames the ruling Congress’s alleged partisan prejudices for being at the core of political hostility. It points out that it is the government’s responsibility to create a cordial atmosphere to evolve a political consensus.

Without naming BJP veteran L.K. Advani,who was recently snubbed twice by the government by being relegated to ordinary places at government functions and then by being criticised in Parliament by the Congress over his “slip of tongue” during the discussion on the violence in Assam,the editorial asks how the government can expect consensus when it does not even know how to behave with “senior leaders of the principal opposition party”.

The editorial has also found no merit in the PM’s attempt to seek non-partisan support on economic issues by equating them with national security. In fact,the editorial seeks to paint him in a poor light,highlighting that while he considers economic woes as a national security challenge,he does not appear to be “concerned or serious” about the involvement of “illegal” Bangladeshi immigrants in recent incidents of violence in Assam and Mumbai. The editorial seeks to impress upon the PM that it is this trend that is a “real danger to national security”.

The Panchjanya has carried a full-page report on the violence in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan calling it a “jihadi” work and projects the development as a “challenge to national sovereignty”. The RSS’s English journal,Organiser,has also given a prominent display to reports on the events in Mumbai and has carried an article terming the violence as being a “premeditated” attempt at “fomenting trouble”.

Pakistani Hindus

THE Organiser has laid emphasis on the plight of Hindus in Pakistan by carrying a cover story on the recent instances of Hindus fleeing Pakistan,as well as an editorial.

Pointing out that “Pakistani Hindus are victims of their own misplaced trust,when they chose to stay back” in Pakistan at the time of Partition in 1947,the editorial reasons that they have suffered enough and it should not be allowed any longer.

Asserting that “India belongs to Hindus and Hindus world over belong to it”,the editorial suggests the country must “embrace” Hindus from Pakistan. Alleging that the government is a “deaf and dumb spectator”,the Organiser editorial suggests that those fleeing Pakistan should not be seen as immigrants or refugees — rather,they should be welcomed to “come,live and grow roots” in India. It faults the government’s approach on this issue by contrasting it with that of “illegal” Bangladeshi immigrants. “It has not reacted to their pleas for citizenship and rehabilitation. India allows millions of Bangladeshi Muslims to come and settle illegally. Pakistani Hindus on the other hand,living for over decades in India are yet to be recognised as citizens of this country,” says the editorial.

Propping up Ramdev

BABA RAMDEV’S recent anti-graft agitation and his warcry,“Congress hatao,Desh Bachao”,got prominent space in Organiser. The report contends that the Congress-led UPA government’s silence on Ramdev’s demands of repatriating black money was indicative of the complicity of its “leadership”.

The report is accompanied by the picture of BJP President Nitin Gadkari and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav sharing the dais with Ramdev to highlight the NDA’s political support to his attack on the Congress.

Jai Jayalalithaa

THE Sangh Parivar’s mouthpieces have projected a cautiously positive image of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she took on the Congress-led UPA from within. Now,the Organiser has sought to balance its act by praising others taking on the Congress. The journal has prominently placed a report praising the schemes launched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. In particular,it has highlighted her decision to provide subsidy to pilgrims going to “Mansarovar in Tibet” and “Muktinath in Nepal”.

Compiled by Ravish Tiwari