Tehelka
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main10.asp?filename=Ne012905RSS_Rides.asp
RSS rides the tsunami tide
PC Vinoj Kumar
Chennai
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are making inroads into the tsunami-hit coastal belt of Tamil Nadu, riding the goodwill generated by their relief work in the region.
The RSS, which has got the government's go-ahead to build 1,200 sheds for victims in Keechankuppam in Nagapattinam district, sees this as an opportunity to penetrate the coastal villages, which are strongholds of the Dravidian parties. Enthusiastic cadres, mostly from non-coastal areas, are planning to stay and help in rehabilitation. In Velankanni, RSS workers from Coimbatore said they were staying back for ‘follow-up' work. “It was the RSS that first started removing dead bodies. We are going to stay here till normalcy returns,” says Kathir, a swayamsevak.
According to Govinda, a pracharak pramukh, the RSS has set up 15 nodal centres to coordinate relief in 215 villages. It has also identified 12 villages for rehabilitation. The RSS has even asked the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch to conduct a socio-economic survey of the villages. “It is going to take a long time for the fishermen to get back to fishing. We are looking at the possibility of suggesting alternative sources of income,” says Govinda.
Ekal Vidyalaya, the VHP front that provides education in tribal areas, has targeted Cuddalore. “We are working in 12 villages with the help of around 150 volunteers,” says K. Jagadeesan, state organiser of Ekal Vidyalaya.
In Devanampattinam, actor Vivek Oberoi is the rallying point for VHP cadres. Vivek’s spiritual guru Swami Chidanand Saraswati of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, is reportedly close to the VHP. His young American disciple, Sadhvi Bhagwati, said her guru had nothing to do with the VHP but “we love Sadhvi Rithambara.” When asked if she had heard the inflammatory speeches of the VHP leader, she said, “We are into spirituality, not politics.” Vivek’s father, Suresh Oberoi, a BJP member, is also in Devanampattinam. Both had campaigned for Atal Behari Vajpayee during the Lok Sabha polls.
Vivek, however, denies politics in his relief efforts. “Several organisations have come to help us, including the Red Cross, Christian Aid Foundation, and Christian Medical College. I am not even aware that the VHP is participating. If they are there, it's good. It is Project Hope. Every NGO or group that wants to assist us is welcome,” he says.
Meanwhile, other parties are keeping an eye on Sangh’s activities. “Every organisation is welcome to render help during calamities. But we will ensure the communal forces do not implement their agenda by using the tragedy,” says K. Mahendran, CPM MLA, and state DYFI president.
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