RSS moves a trailer, real show to come

Is the Sangh parivar imploding from within? Or is it holding out a red herring? That’s a question many have been asking ever since Mohan Bhagwat, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s sarsanghchalak, remarked on “a lack of decorum” during the election campaign, and hinted at the glaring failure of the Union government to contain the continuing conflict in Manipur.

- Neelu Vyas

Bhagwat aimed his remarks at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose coarse Islamophobhia generated great controversy, diverting attention from the more ideological issues of the Sangh parivar. Modi used pejorative references like “those who have more children” and “infiltrators” for Muslims, while causing much bitterness over his repeated use of terms like “mujra”, or “mangalsutra” and “buffalo thieves” for the opposition alliance.

The RSS maintained a stoic silence during the campaign, even as reports emerged that its pracharaks showed little inclination to mobilise voters. Obviously RSS workers sensed the anti incumbency. Immediately after the BJP fell short of majority, critical voices emerged, Bhagwat leading. He said that “maryada” (dignity) and “saiyam” (restraint) were not shown in the campaign, even as many within the RSS tried to indicate that his comments were not directed only at Modi and the central leadership of the BJP.