Wednesday, Mar 20, 2002
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2002 |
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NEW DELHI, MARCH 19. The resolution passed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Bangalore (it said: ``Let the Muslims understand that their real safety lies in the goodwill of the majority'') came in for severe criticism both within and outside Parliament. While the Opposition condemned it as an open declaration of the communal agenda of the RSS, significantly, the Samata Party, an ally of the BJP, asked the Government to rein in the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to prevent the country from ``irreversible political destabilisation.'' Vaiko (MDMK) said unequivocally: ``protection of the minorities is the cardinal principle of democracy. The majority has the responsibility to be magnanimous and flexible to promote harmony with the minorities. I am totally opposed to the concept of the RSS resolution.'' Many others, including members of the Telugu Desam Party and the Trinamool Congress, have expressed shock at this blatant threat to the minority community. As for the BJP, its spokesperson, V.K. Malhotra, has been claiming ignorance: ``I have not yet seen the resolution so I cannot comment,'' was his answer to questions on what the BJP thought of the RSS view. The issue was raised in Parliament by the Congress, which demanded an ``unequivocal condemnation'', and it was supported by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Muslim League. Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Cong) said the RSS resolution telling Muslims that they would be safe in the country only if they enjoyed the goodwill of the Hindus, ``was a direct challenge to the Constitution... this House must unequivocally disapprove and condemn the resolution.'' Mr. Dasmunshi referred to the heightened communal tension in the country and accused the RSS of trying to undermine the nation's unity by creating such divisions within society.'' ``Parliament must take a strong view on this, we cannot ignore it'' he said. He was supported by E.A. Ahmed and Banatwala of the IUML and Raghuvansh Prasad of the RJD. Denouncing the RSS resolution, Mr. Ahmed said it was ``atrocious and repugnant to the principles of the Constitution.'' ``What right does the RSS have to dictate to the minority community? Is the safety and security of the minorities in the hands of the Sangh Parivar or in the hands of the Government, he asked. Mr. Banatwala described the RSS resolution as an affront to the Constitution and asked the Centre to take strict action. However, it was the Samata Party's strong denunciation that raised many eyebrows. The party spokesperson, Shambhu Srivastva, said his party had taken a serious note of the RSS resolution and charged the VHP and the RSS with undoing the gains of a settlement on the Ayodhya issue. He said the statements were posing a big hurdle to the Government.
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