RSS’ threat to agitate betrays its scorn for law (Mail Today Comment)

Editorial, Mail Today, 28 October 2010


RSS’ threat to agitate betrays its scorn for law

THE Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) threat of undertaking ‘ mass action’ across the country against the investigation of some of its cadre in terror attacks is a blatant attempt to subvert the due legal process.

The claims of the organisation’s chief executive Suresh Joshi that “ the RSS is a Constitution- abiding organisation, with full faith in the process of law,” rings hollow. If the RSS does have any respect for the law, it should defend its tainted personnel in the court, rather than threaten to take to the streets.

The RSS’ combativeness seems to be more a product of the panic and desperation in the organisation with elements of its top brass under the scanner for their involvement in the Ajmer, Mecca Masjid, Malegaon and Samjhauta Express blasts.

Less than six months back, when the Rajasthan Anti- Terror Squad had arrested a RSS vibhag pracharak Devendra Gupta, the organisation had promised to extend cooperation in the investigation sans any allegations of the case being politically driven. It is only when the terror footprints led to top leader Indresh Kumar that it has begun to cry foul.

For long the RSS has been using patriotism to hide its violent and fascist character. The involvement of its activists in carrying out terror attacks on Indian citizens strips the organisation of its nationalist garb, making it no different from ‘ jihadi’ terror outfits. Deprived of its nationalist credentials, the RSS seems to be trying its best to deflect attention by using the ‘ Hindu card’ as was evident in Mohanrao Bhagwat’s statement on Vijay Dashmi that “ Hinduism and terror are oxymoronic”. Rather than use Hinduism as a fig leaf and threaten mass agitations, the RSS should suspend its tainted personnel pending inquiry and cooperate with the investigative agencies.