Bengaluru: Kannada book titled “Sanchugara Sangha Parivara” by noted author Vidudalai Rajendran was released in the Kannada Bhavan on Saturday (Jan. 20) morning amid huge applause by a large audience. The title can be translated as “Conspiracies by Sangh Parivar’. It was originally written in Tamil by Rajendran but has been translated into Kannada by Ms. Kalai Selvi, who writes both in Kannada and Tamil. It documents the pernicious thoughts and venomous ideologies of M. S. Golwalker.
The book was released by noted Kannada author Mr. Marulsiddappa in Kannada Bhavan situated in the heart of the city. Those who received the first copies included noted Kannada journalist Agni Sridhar, editor of mass circulated Kannada weekly “Agni” and Mr. B. K. Hariprasad, Rajya Sabha MP and Congress politician.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hariprasad said the RSS is a ‘Rumour Spreading Society” which is opposed to the Constitution and does not believe in equality of all in the society. He said they were able to gain roots in the Hindi heartland mainly because the North Indian States and the Hindi language were not able to produce social reformers such as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Periyar Ramaswamy Naicker, Sri Narayana Guru, Basavanna (All from Southern states) who wrote against the inequality in Vedic dharma. Hariprasad said RSS is opposed to reservation policy which has created a level playing field for the SCs, STs and the OBCs. “They are not ‘Deshabhaktas’ but were Duveshbhaktas (lovers of inequalitu and differences in the society)”, he remarked.
Hariprasad said the media controlled by a few individuals was partisan in its approach. Rape of Nirbhaya was projected in order to create mass uproar against the Congress Government while the rape and murder of Dalit girl in Haryana (ruled by the BJP) is being suppressed. He said most of the murders of Hindus in South Kanara district were committed by the activists of Bajrang Dal in order to create disharmony between communities.
Citing historic documents, Hariprasad said Savarkar sought pardon from the British colonial administration to get released from the Andaman prison. How could he be called “Veer” for this cowardly act. He also cited the affidavit submitted by tallest of all BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee before Agra Magistrate delinking himself from any organization working for the freedom of the country.
Journalist Agni Sridhar who had gone through the text even before publication of the book, said the book redefines the Sangh Parivar and inspires a common Indian to reinvent tools to combat the fascists who are out to divide the society. He said the RSS had no role in Independence struggle. Citing the attack on Dalits at Koregaon-Bhima, the RSS was working to suppress the Dalit and followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The parivar outfits are maligning Tipu Sultan who fought four wars against the British colonial rule. He said the people are free to have their dietary choices and declared that he at beef and was a Hindu. He called for fighting against the Vaidic culture which suppressed the scheduled castes, tribes, OBCs and the religious minorities. He said it was a duty for every Hindu to publicise this book as it highlights the liberal ethos of Hinduism but restrictions and limitations placed by the vaidic culture. He urged immediate translation of the book into Urdu as Muslims were least aware of how they were being victimized.
Mr. Vidudalai Rajendran, the Tamil author of the book, questioned the patriotic antecedent of the Sangh Parivar and said Muslims and Christians were indigenous people who converted to religions that offered the suppressed people liberty and equality in a religion and allowed them access to sanctum sanctorum of Mosques and Churches. He said the Prime Minister’s Office had over 300 employees, but there were no OBCs, SCs and STs among its staff. He said this could be known only after an RTI was filed by an activist. “Why those who are keen to include the OBCs, the SCs and STs in the Hindu fold are keeping the underprivileged communities from the key office?” he questioned.
Noted Kannada author Dr. Marulsiddappa lamented that secularism was getting orphaned in India as even the Congress leaders are calling themselves ‘Hindus’ and visiting temples. He said our immune capacity to fight the fascist forces was on decline which should be a matter of concern. He said RSS ideology was a virus and one should frequently check if he or she is getting afflicted with it. He complimented Vidudalai Rajendran and Kalai Selvi for bringing out the well-researched book and said there was no greater Hindu and saint in India than Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated by a fanatic belonging to Sangh Parivar.
Kannada translator Kalai Selvi questioned as to who opposed the implementation of Mandal Commission Report for 27% reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) when they (the OBCs) were Hindus. She asked why Dalits cannot enter temples when they are thought to be Hindus? Why should someone question as to what an individual is eating and whom he or she is marrying. “Bread and bed were personal choices, why should it be a matter of questioning?” She said she decided to release the book in Kannada Bhavan and dedicate it to the memory of Gauri Lankesh the day she was killed.
(Report by Senior English Journalist Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, Banglore)