Who's a Hindu? Ask RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

From wreckconciliation to reconciliation, a brilliant idea for India. RSS’ efforts to salvage the Hindu religion from the subversive elements is an excellent gesture. Welcome it. But is it sincere is what many doubt. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's words, if he seriously meant what he said, will take the nation a long way in resuscitating the lost glory of India, writes Ashok Patnaik.

Hyderabad: Putting the episodic assaults on Muslims resulting in lynching and other unfortunate incidents in the backburner, the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent statement that those indulging in lynching are "against Hindutva" has been one of forward looking and ought to be welcomed. Is it sheer rejection or distancing from the subversive elements? Whatever might be the case, it has indeed come too little, too late for a community that felt pushed to the corner. India's secular image has inarguably diminished. True, in India's contentious history, there have been charges and countercharges from both Hindus and Muslims allowing political parties across the spectrum to take advantage of their sensitivities and emotiveness. Also true, elections in India were and will be fought on communal lines — these hard truths cannot be blinked nor can be overlooked. Yet, the civilizational essence of India cannot be only viewed through this myopic vision.

The question that lingers over is what provoked the RSS chief to issue a reconciliatory message, and that too at this juncture. According to one school of thought, the image of Hindu that has been somewhat dented due to the nonconformist elements must now be corrected and restored, and RSS has started this refurbish exercise. The second school is of the opinion that the RSS jumped into public discourse keeping in view of next year's elections in Uttar Pradesh. The latter appears to be sensible as the BJP in UP 2020 is no more in the comfort zone as it was in 2017.

The fact that the Muslims in UP constituted 19.26% in 2017, but got divided among themselves when it came for voting had pushed BJP to a comfortably victorious position. Obviously, the BJP cannot wholly ignore such a sizable chunk. The February-March 2022 elections in the state will be unlike the one held in 2017, wherein the BJP won 312 of 403 seats.

Post-Bengal drubbing, BJP cannot afford to take things for granted. In fact, the party's top brass along with inputs from the RSS is ready with a blueprint that has now put its own displeased house in order: the belligerent members of the party have been taken care of. With too many stakeholders in UP polls, and a few more are likely to jump in the fray, 2022 will be an election to watch out for. As for Bhagwat's words, if he seriously meant what he said will take the nation a long way in resuscitating the lost glory of India.