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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Title: RSS needs no lessons in patriotism
Author: Dinesh Agrawal
Publication: India Abroad
Date: May 31, 2002

Response Text:

Title: RSS Needs No Lessons In Patriotism
Author:  Dinesh Agrawal
Publication: India Abroad
Date: June 7, 2002

In an article “What does Mr Agnihotri mean by ‘freedom’?” Vijay Prashad (India Abroad, May
17, 2002) repeats certain old and familiar accusations against the RSS, and in this
exercise the author has tried to use Ambassador-at Large Bhism Agnihotri as the tool to
beat the RSS with.  Vijay Prashad indulges in the now familiar RSS-bashing using old and
hackneyed clichés, false premises, and already discredited sources. The entire commentary
is loaded with calumny and malicious propaganda and lacks originality and credibility.

Prashad accuses the RSS on three counts: RSS incites communal violence; RSS is guilty of
Mahatma Gandhi’s murder, and RSS is not a patriotic organization. All his arguments and
“facts” in support of the accusations are based on a single article published in The
Statesman on January 15, 2000 (A.G. Noorani’s “RSS & Services, A Half Century’s Gory
Record”). The newspaper has already apologized to the RSS for publishing the article. By
quoting such a discredited source Vijay Prashad displays Goebblesian propaganda technique
that is the hallmark of the small cabal of diehard RSS-bashers and leftist
fellow-travelers.

<b>When the article was published in the Statesman on January 15, 2000, the RSS office in New
Delhi filed a defamation suit against A. G. Noorani, C. R. Irani, Ravindra Kumar (Editor
and Managing Editor of the Statesman, respectively), and Devvrata (cartoonist), in a New
Delhi court. When two of these men did not respond to the court summons, non-bailable
warrants were issued against them. The case even went to the Delhi High Court. When the
accused realized that they would not be able to escape the guilty verdict, they begged the
court that they be allowed to submit an unconditional apology to the RSS. Finally, on
February 25, 2002 A.G. Noorani submitted a written apology to the Court in which he
regretted writing the article.  He promised that the newspaper would publish his apology
prominently within a fortnight in the editorial pages. This was done on March 3, 2002. The
apology says the following:

Clarification: “We wish to clarify that the publication was made without malice and with no
intention to denigrate or defame any person or persons, or RSS. We regret the publication.”
(The Statesman, March 3, 2002)</b>

And now Vijay Prashad digs out this old and discredited article to pen his malicious piece,
which strangely India Abroad found fit to publish.  He rehashes the contents of the Noorani
article and uses his very fertile imagination to play fast and loose with facts and
history. What are the real facts regarding the three main accusations Prashad has hurled at
the RSS? Let us find out.

RSS and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi: Prashad finds the RSS guilty because Nathuram
Godse, a former RSS man, shot dead Mahatma Gandhi. If Godse was in the RSS and later
drifted away from it because he found the RSS too soft towards Muslims, and then shot the
Mahatma, could we say that it was RSS which inspired him to assassinate Gandhiji? In his
testimony to the court Godse admitted that before joining RSS, he was a member of the
Congress Party and actively participated in many Gandhiji-led movements. So, should we not
then accuse both the Congress Party and Gandhiji himself for what Godse did? To give an
analogy, every Naxalite activist began as a member of the CPI or CPM.  Naxalite groups have
been indulging in violence for the past 35 years and have killed hundreds if not thousands
of innocent people.  According to Prashad’s logic it is the CPM/CPI which are the real
culprits behind the mindless violence of Naxalites.

The fact is that RSS has been absolved of the charge by a number of courts and commissions:
by the special trial court of Atmacharan (this special court was set-up to try the accused
in the Gandhi murder case); by the High Court; and by the Kapur Commission which was set up
in 1966 under T. L. Kapur, Supreme Court judge, to make a fresh and thorough inquiry into
the conspiracy to murder Gandhiji. The Commission sat at different places, examined more
than 100 witnesses and 407 documents, and published its report. Deposing before this
commission, Mr. R. N. Banerjee, the Union Home Secretary at the time of Gandhiji's
assassination, testified that no member of the RSS was involved in the assassination. The
report says the following about the RSS: "It (RSS) had a slant against Gandhism but its
anti-Gandhism did not seem to go to the extent of personally harming Mahatma Gandhi."
(Kapoor Commission Report, Vol.II, p.75).

Further, in 1978, the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai on the floor of Parliament had
absolved the RSS completely from the charge of murdering Gandhiji.

In response to a letter from Nehru suggesting that Gandhiji's murder was, "a part of a much
wider campaign organised chiefly by the RSS," the then Home Minister Sardar Patel, in
charge of the investigation replied, "I have myself gone through the Mahatma Gandhi
assassination case, and... it... clearly emerges that... the RSS was not involved at all
…." (Sardar Patel's Correspondence:1945-1950, Ahamdabad, Navjeevan Publishing House, 1973).

Blitz, a Mumbai weekly, had accused the RSS of Gandhiji's murder, and later had to tender
an unconditional apology when faced with a court case.

Is the RSS responsible for communal riots? Mr Prashad’s (or A.G. Noorani’s) accusation that
many enquiry commissions have implicated the RSS in communal riots is a blatant lie,
studiously propagated by the self-professed "left-democratic, secular, progressive
intellectuals". First, hardly any report of the enquiry commissions into communal riots has
ever been made public, and not one of those made public has opined that the RSS initiated
any riots. However, once the Home Ministry told the National Integration Council in May
1969 that a survey of 23 riots covering the year 1968 and the first 3 months of 1969 showed
that in 22 of these cases, Muslims had started the riots. And the same applies to almost
all the riots since then. No RSS leader was ever prosecuted or arrested for communal riots,
while Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi has over 17 arrest warrants against him pending for
inciting violence and communal riots.

<b>What is the cause of communal riots in India? A well-respected Muslim religious leader,
Maulana Waheeduddin Khan, Director of the Islamic World Center, New Delhi, has said that
the “Muslim temper is extremely volatile and they are hyper-sensitive, and have become a
perennial problem for the law enforcing authorities, and the need of the day is to learn
how to live in harmony and understanding with non-Muslim communities.” He further says, “If
we marshal all facts, we see that in every case, the situation has been aggravated more by
the Muslims in question being easily provoked than by a desire on the part of police to be
aggressive. And it is noteworthy that wherever Muslims are to be found living together in
any concentration, this over sensitiveness is very much in evidence; sooner or later, it is
the Muslims themselves who have to pay dearly for it.…” (Muslim India, January 1988)</b>

There is another very intensive research on the cause and effect of communal riots
since 18th century. The research was conducted by Zenab Banu of Gujarat, it was a topic of
her Ph.D. thesis. Her thesis has been published in a book entitled 'Politics of
Communalism' (1978). In this she had analyzed and documented major Hindu-Muslim riots
spread over 250 years. And the conclusion of this research shows that in over 95 % cases
the riots were initiated by Muslims.

Doubting the patriotism of RSS: The RSS does not need any lesson or certificate from
anyone, especially from the treacherous Indian Left whose inspiration lies outside India. 
Prashad draws inspiration from those who supported the British during India’s independence
struggle, who supported the partition of India, who supported the invasion of India by
China, and who have made it their profession to denigrate Hindus on any pretext. Such
people have no moral authority to pontificate to anyone about patriotism, least of all the
RSS, which is one of the most nationalistic of Indian organizations.

Though RSS opponents have accused the RSS of many things, they have never doubted its
patriotic credentials and its dedication and commitment to the cause of Mother India. The
RSS has been one of the most maligned and most misunderstood organizations in India. Its
critics have developed extremely prejudicial views against it mainly from the mischievous
Left propaganda. One such critic was Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan who was suspicious of the
RSS in the 1940s. But his contacts with RSS workers and leaders made him appreciate its
work and ideology. He was very much impressed when he found during the Bihar famine of 1966
that, for relief work, RSS workers collected the most, spent the least on collection and
distributed the collections the best. After the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, on
November 3, 1977, JP addressed a huge RSS training camp in Patna. Following are some
excerpts from his speech:

"...RSS is a revolutionary organisation. No other organisation in the country comes
anywhere near it. It alone has the capacity to transform society, end casteism and wipe the
tears from the eyes of the poor. Its very name is 'Rashtriya', that is national. I am not
saying this to flatter you. I believe you have a historic role to play.... I have great
expectations from this revolutionary organisation which has taken up the challenge of
creating a new India. I have welcomed your venture wholeheartedly. Sometimes I have offered
you my advice and have even criticised you, but that was as a friend...There is no other
organisation in the country which can match you...The RSS should think over this: how to
bring about economic transformation? How to transform the villages? All our leaders,
including Mahatma Gandhi, have worked for it. You have included Mahatma Gandhi also in your
morning prayers and he is indeed worth remembering every morning. This is very good thing
you have done . If he had lived a little longer he would have guided us a little more to
remove untouchability and other evils from the Hindu society. But the way is clear now and
I think that more than myself you can undertake this mission because you are more competent
to do it. You think and deliberate upon the various aspects of our traditions, our culture
and Dharma constantly ... This society, its glorious history and the heritage of our
forefathers, the sacrifices of the builders of this country and their achievements and the
freedom that we have won - you are the inheritors of it all and it is for you to make the
best use of it...Your word has far reaching effect. There is the force of spiritualism and
thousands of years of our ancient culture at your back. You are also in the forefront of
the transformation that is taking place before our very eyes. The results of this change
are also at your disposal...I commend to you the ideals of service, renunciation,
sacrifice. I have no doubt that you are already imbued with these ideals and are of
self-sacrificing nature and noble conduct. Here is the arena of a vast country open to you.
You can accomplish a lot. May God give you strength and may you live up to such
expectations."

Gandhiji appreciated the discipline and idealism of RSS and said that an organisation which
was rooted in high ideals and public service was bound to grow from strength to strength.
He described himself as a "Sanatani Hindu" and deeply appreciated the patriotic song with
which the Sangh meeting had started. (During a visit to a RSS camp in Bhangi Colony, New
Delhi September 14 1947).

Vinoba Bhave said "Mein Sangha ka asabhya sabhya hoon" (I am an honorary member of Sangha).

Dr. Zakir Hussain, told a Milad Mahfil in Monghyr on Nov. 20, 1949: "The allegations
against RSS of violence and hatred against the Muslims are wholly false. Muslims should
learn the lesson of mutual love, cooperation and organisation from RSS." Field Marshal
Carriappa, told the Mangalore Shakha in 1959: "RSS work is my heart's work."  He added: "If
Muslims can sing the praises of Islam, what wrong is there if RSS sings the praises of
Hinduism?" He concluded: "My dear young men, don't be disturbed by uncharitable comments of
interested persons. Dr. Hedgewar, the revered founder of this great organisation, has set
before you a bright example of selfless devotion to the service of the motherland. Look
ahead! Go ahead! This country is standing in need of your services alone."

Dr. R.C. Majumdar, doyen of Indian historians, told the winter camp of RSS in Calcutta in
1970: "All the programs and activities of RSS have been visualised with a great aim and
plan by its creator. He started the work with a great view in mind, with the aim of
inspiring the true spirit of nationalism, and making the nation strong and powerful. He
rightly and boldly declared that Hindus are the true nationals of this great country. Many
people feel ashamed to accept this fact, though they also feel that it is true. We must
acknowledge boldly that it is Hindu History, Hindu Culture, Hindu Civilization that this
country is proud of, when we people speak of the great past and great culture of the
country. I do not know why they should feel ashamed of saying that the great past and the
great culture was nothing but the Hindu past and the Hindu culture."

Dr. K.N. Katzu, who had been Nehru's Home Minister and Defence Minister, addressed an RSS
Rally in Allahabad in 1963. Dr. Katju said that he had occasion to visit RSS camps and
rallies in the past too. "Chinese aggression has made the nation conscious of its great
unity, but this unity needs to be preserved forever -- whether there is war or peace. It is
this unity that the RSS founder sought to build up." He added: "Who says this is not Hindu
Rashtra? I am happy to see its miniature form in RSS. "

(Dr. Dinesh Agrawal is a Professor at the Pennsylvania State University).

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Additional Comments (if any):



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Original Article:

Article_Title: RSS needs no lessons in patriotism
Article_Author: Dinesh Agrawal
Article_Date: May 31, 2002

Article_Body:

Title: What does Mr. Agnihotri mean by 'freedom'
Author: Vijay Prashad
Publication: Indian Abroad
Date: May 17, 2002

Finally, decades after its formation, the Indian Republic wants to formally create a
relationship with those who micgrated from its shores. Nehru raised the question of
migrants in the Constituent Assembly as early as December 4, 1947. In a remarkable speech
he noted, "The history of Indian emigration abroad, including that of the humblest of those
who went from India, reads almost like a romance. They worked hard for themselves, and for
the good of the country of their adoption. They made good themselves, and the country they
had gone to also profited. How then must the new Republic relate to these migrants? 'While
on the one hand' Nehru said, 'we are obviously intent on protecting the interests of
Indians abroad, on the other hand we cannot protect any vested interests which injure the
image of the country they are in' . That is, if Indians abroad exploit the peoples of their
new land, and if resentment brews against them, the Indian government may not on the ground
of ethn ic connection alone come to their assistance. There is that difficulty, Nehru
noted, "Nevertheless undoubtedly we shall try to do our best to protect all legitmate
interests.".....

When BJP came to power these two motivations to the NRIs confidence and the cash, merged.
Therefore, this government has tried to do all it can to cement the connection.

In late August 2001, the Rajya Sabha had to close down because the Opposition left the
chamber. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced the appointment of BK Agnihotri
as India's AMbassador-at-large, an extraordinary post that was to represent the vast Indian
Diaspora.....

When India Abroad's Ramananda Sengupta asked him about his RSS roots, he responded, "I have
been associated with the RSS most of the time. They have been doing a good job, are
dedicated, patriotic, so why should anybody talk as if it's a criminal party? They deserve
all kinds of credit" (India Abroad September 7, 2001). Agnihotri is not alone in this
rhetrical posture. Home Minister LK Advani frequently brags," If there is any admirable
quality in me, I owe it to the RSS" and Law Minister Ram Jethmalini call the RSS as
'reservior of patriotism."....

Formed in 1925, the RSS removed itself from the freedom struggle and took as its main task
the creation of sectarian, militant bands whose only commitment was to Hindutva (the
political ideology) and not to India. Its commitment to India was so limited that in May
1947 the RSS leader in Jammu, Prem Nath Dogra, pushed the Akhil Rajya Hindu Sabha to pass a
resolution against the absorption of Kashmir into the Indian Union because a Hindu state
should not join secular India. The next year former RSS man, Nathuram Godse, assassinated
Mahatma Gandhi as an act of violence not only against one man, but also against the freedom
movement. The Indian Republic banned the RSS, not only for this act but also for the
ceaseless incitement to riot since at least 1946 (the garmuktheswar riot of that year, most
investigations found, had been incited in all probability by members of the RSS).

In jail, RSS leader MS Golwalkar begged Nehru to release him so that 'you with government
power and we with organized cultural force combine and eliminate [the Communist] menace'.
Banned once more during emergency, this time RSS leader MD Deoras tried to curry favor with
Indira Gandhi vis Vinobha Bhave in several letters from August to November 1975. Hardly a
model of probity, decency and commitment.

In secular India, various commissions of inquiry have found the RSS culpable of the most
heinous pogroms against working-class Muslims. Take five commissions as examplary: the 1969
Jagmohan Reddy Commission on the Ahmedabad riots, the 1970 Madan Commission on the Bhiwandi
riots, the 1971 Justice Vithavathi Report on the Tellicherry riots, the 1979 Jitendra
Narain Report on the Jamshedpur riots and finally, the 1982 Justice Venugopal report on the
Kanyakumari riots. In all five of these, before the BJP came to power, the independent
commissions found the RSS guilty of violence.

If Justice Vithayathil found the RSS guilty of 'rousing up' communal feelings, Justice
Narain censured RSS leader Deoras for contributing his 'full share in fomenting these
communal feelings' while Justice Venugopal found the RSS 'has taken upon itself the task to
teach the minority their place and if they are not willing to learn their place, teach them
a lesson' (all these quotes are in AG Noorani's A Half Century's Gory Record, The Statesman
January 15, 2000). The Sangh Parivar turns out to be a Jung Parivar, and yet, Mr.
Agnihotri, Mr. Advani and Mr. Jethmalini call it 'patriotic'.....

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Reference Code:
Response filed by: Dinesh Agrawal 
India Mediawatch : Filing Response to a Biased Article<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->