The Hindu : Karnataka / Shimoga News : RSS takes exception to Dharam Singh's remarks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Shimoga

RSS takes exception to Dharam Singh's remarks

By Our Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA, JAN. 24. The Pramukh of the Akhil Bharath Sahaseva of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Setharam Kedilaya, on Sunday took exception to the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh's reported comparison of the U.S. born evangelist Benny Hinn to one of India's greatest spiritual leaders, Swami Vivekananda.

``It only speaks of the lack of his understanding of Indian history and culture,'' he said while addressing a public meeting held on the Adichunchanagiri School premises as part of the RSS workers' orientation programme at the mandal level.

He said it was unfair to draw a parallel between Vivekananda's historic visit to Chicago to address the World Congress of Religion spreading the values of Hinduism and that of Benny Hinn to India which was aimed at propagating Christianity.

Mr. Kedilaya said the RSS was not opposed to Muslims, Christians and other minorities and considered them as Hindus only.

Lack of perspective

Mr. Kedilaya regretted that though his organisation had been serving national interest since its inception 79 years ago with a sense of dedication no sincere attempts were being made to understand its role in the correct perspective.

"It is being described as differently as the blind men had described the elephant,'' he said.

He claimed that the RSS was like an open book with transparency in its activities. "Its doors are open to one and all and it can be understood correctly only if its activities are viewed by being close to it,'' he added.

He said, "The RSS is not a registered body but its activities are no less important than any established university. If a university teaches subjects in a formal way in a limited sphere, the RSS teaches a wide range of subjects that spread and glorify the lasting values of Hinduism."

Expressing concern over the tendency among a few vested interests to denigrate Swadesi culture, he said it was unfortunate that the attitude of being slaves continued to dominate the political scenario as the rulers after Independence refused to come out of the influence of the alien culture.

He said it was regrettable that the country had not been able to frame its own legal, educational and economic policies despite the fact that they were not relevant to Indian ethos.

Mr. Kedilaya said if India had triumphed in the past it was because the people then had visualised "Matrutva'' in the country's soil, rivers, greenery and other natural resources and equated the country to "Maatru Bhoomi''. "But today the tendency is opposite to it as the people have no concern for the protection of natural resources,'' he said and added that as the result, "we invite the disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes and floods.''

The Prinicipal of the Sahyadri Science College here, T.S. Hoovaiah Gowda, presided over the function. T. Pattabhiram Vibhag Karyavaha welcomed the gathering. The RSS volunteers took out a "patha sanchalana'' in the city before the commencement of the public meeting.

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RSS takes exception to Dharam Singh's remarks