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RSS aims to revive nationalistic fervour

Tara Shankar Sahay in Agra

The overall 'martial' atmosphere was difficult to overlook.

The roll of drums, trumpets and bugles coupled with the ganvesh (uniform -- khakhi shorts and socks, white shirt, brown belt, black cap and brown sneakers) projected the impression of a paramilitary force. The ubiquitous lathi (staff) of the swayamsevaks (volunteers) was also very much in evidence.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's three-day mahashivir (mega-conference) began in Agra on Friday with patriotic songs, slogans and an unambiguous reminder by the leadership that its cadres had to beware of external and internal challenges to defeat them and preserve nationalism.

The Sangh leadership had anticipated an attendance of about 80,000 cadres. In the event their estimate was short of the mark by at least 20,000, with more than 100,000 swayamsevaks gathering to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the organisation and pay obeisance to its leaders.

The tone and tenor of the mahashivir was set by RSS joint secretary Mohan Bhagwat who exhorted the volunteers to be alert against the "infiltrators pouring into the country from the western border and the activities of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence".

Bhagwat also referred to schoolchildren speaking English instead of Hindi even at home and "the ceaseless invasion of multinational companies".

There was little doubt that the three-day extravaganza has been designed as an exercise in introspection to re-instil a patriotic fervour not only among Sangh cadres but also those who stand for a strong and united India.

RSS chief K S Sudershan honoured retired defence personnel such as Air Marshal Tarlochan Singh, Lieutenant-Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa and Vice Admiral K K Nayyar on the occasion.

Former sarsanghachalak Rajendra Singh alias Rajju Bhaiyya was also present along with other notables of the Parivar.

Zee Television proprietor Subhash Goel, on stage as a senior Sangh member, told reporters, "There is no shame or regret in being among your own. I was a swayamsevak in my childhood."

But the Sangh leadership has taken care to project a more 'secular' image by reportedly inviting nationalist-minded minority community members. "We have already said that our party is neither communal nor casteist. We are for a strong and united India, including all those who are ready to safeguard the country from harmful foreign influence," Bhagwat told rediff.com

About 2000 swayamsevaks roamed around the 400 acres of Shastripuram, the mahashivir's venue on the western extremity of Agra, to stand guard. A veteran RSS member, Gurudas Dikshit, pointed out that the Sangh leadership did not discount the possibility of a surprise attack by hostile forces. Significantly, the organisers have set up 36 police chowkies inside Shastripuram to discourage intrusions and attacks.

EARLIER REPORT:
RSS all set to celebrate 75th anniversary

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