Ram Puniyani
The Politics of Modi' parent organisation RSS is based on distortion of history, medieval history in particular. to begin with the projection of kings through the prism of religion, to demonise Muslim kings based on distortions and falsehoods of History, and then in turn spreading hatred against Muslims of today has been the foundation of which RSS built it up. Taking the same method to further lower levels currently Narendra Modi is trampling, distorting the facts of history to project his ideology. In the last week, October 2013, he addressed two meetings and gave one interview which showed the levels to which he can fall to score political mileage.
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| Nehru, Gandhi, Patel |
In Sardar Patel memorial inauguration, Modi said that Sardar Patel should have been the first Prime Minister of India. This was a dig at two major leadrs of freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi and Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. One recall that Mahatma Gandhi, father of Indian Nation, was the one who had the mandate of the whole nation, irrespective of region, religion, gender and caste. It was left to Gandhi to nominate the Prime Minister and he unhesitatingly named Nehru to be the first Prime Minister of the country. There might have been different factors weighing on the mind of Mahatma, as Sardar Patel and Nehru both were his closest disciples. He knew both of them thoroughly, and he made the choice. Patel went on to be the deputy Prime Minister and Home Minsiter, in which capcity he was instrumental in merging over 550 princely states in to Indian Union, a remarkable contribution to Indian nationalism. Nehru as Prime minister laid the foundation of all
the policies related to industrial growth, education, foreign affairs and
became the ‘architect of Modern India’, India on the path of Industrialisation
and education, the foundations due to which today India has been catapulted to
be one of the major economic powers in the world.
Surely, in such a marathon enterprise the
contribution of his Cabinet colleagues should not be underestimated. While
criticism of some of his policies is in order, the credit for trying to take
India out of the feudal society, the society of blatant slavery of dominated
castes and women, to the society with democratic values of Liberty, Equality
and Fraternity, were also laid under his indomitable leadership. Sardar Patel
is being projected by Modi-RSS despite knowing that Patel was deeply committed
to Indian Nationalism, staunch follower of Gandhi and a thoroughly secular person.
RSS has none of this, RSS-Modi are totally opposed to the values, which Sardar
espoused. The first thing which Modi tries to do in this direction is to
emotionally undermine the role of Pundit Nehru. He went to the extent of saying
in one of the interviews given to a Hindi daily, that Nehru did not attend the
funeral ceremony of Patel. This is a total concoction. This blatant lie was
immediately exposed as the Times of India, on front page had covered this event
and prominently told the readers about the presence of President Dr. Rajendra
Prasad and Prime Minister Pundit Nehru on the occasion. It also published the
deep condolences of Nehru who said that Sardar Patel has contributed immensely
to the process of India’s freedom and making of India. Congress Leader Digvijay
Singh has posted the clip of the documentary showing Nehru attending the
funeral. Also it was recalled that Morarji Desai in his autobiography Volume I
page 271, Para 2 mentioned the presence of Pundit Nehru on the occasion. In the
face of this Modi retracted his statement, and usual things about being
misquoted etc were dished out.
It is surprising that RSS-Modi are trying to project
a person as their icon, who had banned their organization after the murder of
father of the nation. In his letter to the RSS Chief M.S. Golwalkar, Sardar
Patel wrote, “All their (RSS) leaders’ speeches were full of communal poison.
As a final result, the poisonous atmosphere was created in which such a ghastly
tragedy (Gandhi’s murder) became possible.” (Excerpts from Sardar Patel’s letter,
in Outlook April 27, 1998) Same Outlook issue tells us that RSS expressed their
joy and distributed sweets after Gandhi’s death. One can add that by attacking
the choice of Mahatma Gandhi for the Prime ministerial post, Modi is continuing
the work of Hindu nationalism’s attack on Indian Nationalism started by Godse.
This Hindu nationalist, Godse, attacked Gandhi for insisting on Indian
Nationalism and now another Hindu Nationalist Modi is attacking Mahatma for his
choice of the Prime Minister. This attempt of Modi to say that Sardar Patel
Should have been the Prime Minister instead of Nehru, more than undermining
Nehru is a direct attack on Gandhi. Not surprising! As Modi belongs to the
Hindu nationalism school of thought for whom Gandhi and his ideology were not
acceptable for their strong support for diversity of India. Here they also
undermine Sardar Patel who was equally committed to the values of pluralism and
secularism of India, in shaping which he contributed immensely. Patel was
committed to actualize Gandhi’s dream of secular India, and for this he
contributed all his life.
Neetish Kumar in another part of the country;
pointed out two major things. One as to how Modi spoke lies about Chandragupta
Maurya being from Gupta dynasty, while he was from Maurya dynasty. Second that
Alexander came up to Ganges. As a matter of fact, Alexander returned from the
banks of Sutlej. Modi displayed his knowledge or lack of it by saying that
Taxila belongs to Bihar, while it is in Western part and is currently part of
Pakistan. Modi’s these utterances were meant to play to the gallery in Patna
meeting. The Patna meeting was called as Hunkar rally, Hunkar means speaking something
vociferously and with arrogance, a sign of fascist mind set. Modi also exhorted
the audience to ‘weed out’ opponents. This is the mindset of a fascist again
who wants to eliminate the opponents. This is what Hitler did, weeding out
Jews, Trade Unionists and Communist during his regime. While currently Modi is
focusing on political opponents, his ideology of Hindu nationalism has spread
the slogan of Pehle Kasai phir Isai. (First the Muslims, then the Christians)
So here we are witnessing a dangerous scenario emerging. Attack on Indian
Nationalism, by attacking the choice of Gandhi for Prime Minister’s post. A
total distortion of history to play to the gallery, Goebbels style. And use of
a language which fascists routinely do, of weeding out others.
At this point of time to compare RSS-BJP-Modi with
any other electoral formation is dangerous as BJP is a different cup of tea, it
is molded for Hindu nationalism, and Modi with his fascist tendencies is unable
to conceal his fangs. Those equating BJP-Modi with any other party are doing a fatal
mistake, which the country may have to regret later at the cost of loosing
democracy. Let’s recall that Hitler also came to power through democratic
means. Having once come to power, he was quick enough to abolish democracy and
impose fascism through his multiple wings, storm troopers, foot soldiers on one
side and the followers of his ideology in different forms, on the other.
Warning bells are loud and clear, those wanting to live in a democratic Indian
nation need to take it as a wakeup call.
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