Bhagwat’s comments smack of disingenuousness

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments smack of disingenuousness.

Bhagwat expressed his displeasure over the boorish poll campaign. His observation that a true “sevak” could not be “arrogant” was an uncharitable remark targeted at, though obliquely, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party government. This occasioned a few other critical comments from the Sangh Parivar on the government.

Typically, the RSS, which is the nucleus of the saffron family, has tried to downplay its own remarks. It even distanced itself from its leader Indresh Kumar’s remark on the “arrogant” BJP.

Four points need to be made here. First, Bhagwat seems disingenuous, for the arrogance he has accused the ruling party of was on display not just during the election campaign but last 10 years. Not just arrogance; the Big Two of the government had arrogated all powers to themselves, leaving little room for other functionaries to say or do anything on their own. Was the RSS asleep when all this was happening?

The answer to that question is ‘no,’ and this brings us to the second point. It was aware of all happenings and, apparently, quite satisfied—and not without reason. It was content as its two main agenda items were delivered—abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and building of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Besides, many RSS members became beneficiaries of the government’s largesse.

Had the BJP secured more seats in the Lok Sabha than it did in 2019, the RSS might have remained quiet. Ends justify means. But this time, Modi failed to reach the magic figure of 272. Perhaps Modi’s failing, in the RSS’ scheme of things, is not arrogance but inability to get an absolute majority for the BJP in the third term.

The third point is: the RSS cannot absolve itself of its culpability in letting a personality cult grow. It had the authority and the influence to rein in Modi; it simply didn’t do that.

Fourth, despite all the shortcomings, the Modi government has been able to enforce fiscal discipline, build infrastructure, check Maoism, improve the situation in Kashmir, and better ties with the West and the Arab world. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the RSS to help him continue with good work, without allowing him to act unilaterally. This will help not just the RSS and the BJP but also the country.