dailyO
Variety

As PM Modi hosts Pakistan’s best friend Mohammed bin Salman, why is the RSS silent?

Advertisement
DailyBite
DailyBiteFeb 20, 2019 | 18:00

As PM Modi hosts Pakistan’s best friend Mohammed bin Salman, why is the RSS silent?

Virat Hindus routinely target Muslims within India. But they are apparently happy to see the red carpet rolled out for Saudi Arabia's crown prince. This, less than a week after the dastardly Pulwama attack.

MBS came, MBS smiled, Modi ji hugged. Even as the country is still mourning and seething over the Pulwama attack, India is playing enthusiastic host to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman.

Mohammad bin Salman, who, a day ago, was in Pakistan, has given Pakistan’s economy a new lease of life by agreeing to deals worth $20 billion, and affectionately announced that he “can’t say no to Pakistan”.

Advertisement

Since arriving in India, MBS has so far neither condemned, nor condoled over the Pulwama attack, even after PM Modi mentioned it during their joint press briefing.

As the government serenades him, where are all the Virat Hindus now?

And more importantly — their Virat patron, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)?

Saudi Arabia and China literally bankroll Pakistan, which then uses this money to sustain and nourish the terrorists who carry out attack after brutal attack on India.  

In fact, Saudi money reportedly funds much of the Islamic terrorism around the world.

While the Virat Hindus are quick to criticise, demonise — even physically attack — ordinary Kashmiris and other Indian Muslims, why are they so silent on our government’s public display of affection for MBS?

Jinhein naaz hai Hind(utva) par, woh kahan hain?

The RSS is a body with considerable clout, which even the government listens to. Surely it could have at least issued a statement against this Prince of Arabia, who, till a day ago, was hob-nobbing with Pakistan’s Prime Minister?

Such bonhomie everywhere. (Photos: ANI/Reuters)
Such bonhomie everywhere. RSS, are you seeing this? (Photos: ANI/Reuters)

The case of the RSS’s silence, however, is curiouser than that.  

Advertisement

Ever since the Pulwama attack, the RSS and its affiliate, the VHP, have been an odd picture of restraint. There has been just one statement from both — the RSS “strongly condemned” the attack and urged the government for action, while the VHP has expressed faith that the government “will respond to the attack resolutely, firmly and effectively”.

Meanwhile, some VHP and Bajrang Dal men have reportedly vandalised a Basic Shiksha Adhikari’s office in Muzaffarnagar, over an alleged social media post on the Pulwama attack.

So, is this the new strategy?

Violence and vandalism against easy targets within our country — but silence where it truly matters?

In February 2018, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said, “Sangh will prepare military personnel within three days which the Army would do in 6-7 months. This is our capability. Swayamsewaks will be ready to take on the front if the country faces such a situation and Constitution permits to do so.”

Has anyone recently heard Bhagwat apply for permission to ‘prepare military personnel’ and let them help the Army?

No?

We wonder why. 

At a time when the wounds of Pulwama are so fresh, it’s unfortunate that the government is having to show such warmth to the reputed chief financer of jihadi terror globally. The government is bound by geo-political concerns, but now, if ever, Indian civil society needs a strong voice to register our displeasure with Saudi Arabia and its seemingly undying love for Pakistan.

Advertisement

Where's the bravery and bombast now?
Where's the bravery and bombast now? (Photo: PTI/file)

The RSS is in a good position to be this voice.

But, at this of all moments, the Sangh has fallen silent.

Maybe it does not want to further embarrass the BJP government, already in a tough spot after Pulwama.

Or maybe, it just likes to pick on smaller opponents.

Either way, it’s doing its image — or its claim to be the ‘true champion of Hindu interests’ — no favours.   

Last updated: February 20, 2019 | 18:00
IN THIS STORY
Please log in
I agree with DailyO's privacy policy