[world-vedic] RSS is victim of British and Secularism

02-14-2000, 01:45 AM

>From: OFBJP <OFBJP@...>
>To: OFBJP Editor <Editor@...>
>Subject: Ban or not, we're here to stay: RSS
>Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 19:07:07 -0500 (EST)
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>Title: Ban or not, we're here to stay: RSS
>Publication: The Times of India
>Date: February 14, 2000
>
> The ban on the RSS, which was was started by
> the British, continued even after
> Independence because of the ``pseudo
> secularism'' propagated by successive
> governments

> NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
> (RSS), under attack from the opposition as
>
> well as the ruling NDA partners in the wake
> of several BJP-ruled states lifting the ban
> on government employees participating in its
> activities, said ``it is up to the
> government to decide whether to lift the ban
> and it is not seeking any revocation''.
>
> The controversy erupted after the BJP
> governments in Gujarat, UP and Himachal
> Pradesh lifted the ban on their staff
> participating in RSS activities.
>
> ``Whether the ban is to be lifted or not and
> when to lift it would depend on the judgment
> of the government. It should be remembered
> that we have not sought lifting of the
> ban,'' RSS chief Rajendra Singh said in the
> Sangh's mouthpiece Panchjanya.
>
> Describing the controversy as ``unfortunate
> and not in the interest of the country'',
> Singh said the RSS stand on the issue was
> vindicated by several court verdicts against
> the ban. ``It is unfortunate that some
> political parties are trying to politicise
> the issue,'' he said.
>
> Clarifying his reported statement in this
> regard on Friday, Singh said at the function
> organised by Panchjanya he had given the
> example of Britain where all government
> employees except those in the judiciary and
> the police were free to participate in the
> activities of not only socio-cultural
> organisations like the RSS but also
> political parties.
>
> The British example had been cited in
> support of his point of view and it was not
> his intention ``to canvas for its
> implementation in India,'' he added.
>
> Recalling his conversation with newsmen at
> the function, Singh said he was of the view
> that ``a ban on participation of government
> servants in any organisation was bad''.
>
> In its 75 year history, he said, the RSS had
> ``never taken any government or political
> patronage and grew despite opposition from
> the government''.
>
> The ban on the RSS, which was was started by
> the British, continued even after
> Independence because of the ``pseudo
> secularism'' propagated by successive
> governments, the RSS chief said.
>
> The RSS had braved several governments since
> Independence and ``its growth was mainly due
> to the inherent strength of Hindutva,''
> Singh pointed out.
>
> He said the RSS had never attempted to build
> its image in the media even in adverse
> situations.
>

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