The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : RSS and the BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 18, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

RSS and the BJP

This refers to the report, `Why is the sangh parivar angry with the BJP?' (April 15). The RSS being a non-political organisation can afford to take its ideological hard line to any length and still survive. The BJP cannot. Politics in a democratic set-up is about getting power by adopting policies acceptable to the majority. If the BJP intends to retain its position of being one of the two major political parties in the country, it is time to come out of the RSS' shadow.

M.C. Joshi,
Lucknow

The sangh parivar's anger towards the BJP is, I think, quite justified. Before it came to power, many supported the BJP for its swadeshi-oriented policies and hopes of corruption-free governance were generated. One also thought that being from the RSS stable, the leaders of the BJP would follow a simple lifestyle. However, all these hopes were dashed and the BJP in power proved no different from the Congress.

S.R. Venkatasubrahmaniam,
Essex, U.K.

RSS sarsanghchalak K.S. Sudarshan's statement that BJP stalwarts Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani have become old and that they should pave the way for younger leaders is only designed to grab brownie points. If anything, they are the two most farsighted, level-headed and politically mature leaders in the sangh stable. They even command respect from their rivals.

M.V. Ravindran,
Ahmedabad

Mr. Sudarshan's criticism that Mr. Vajpayee did nothing for the country is not correct. Despite being part of a coalition, he got appreciation from all sections of society.

Vure Balaiah,
Armoor, A.P.

This refers to Mr. Sudarshan's demand that Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani step down because they have become old is surprising. Mr. Sudarshan himself is nearing 70 and another RSS leader, Mohan Bhagwat, is nearing 75. It is time the BJP dumped the RSS and adopted an individual, secular and progressive approach.

A.R. Karthyck,
Chennai

The BJP leadership's reaction to the RSS criticism has been surprisingly soft. The top leaders of the two organisations should sit together and thrash out the differences. Otherwise the rank and file could easily get confused.

D.B.N. Murthy,
Bangalore

Mr. Sudarshan's criticism is surprising but well-meant. The BJP's top two should step down and pave the way for youth. They can, of course, always guide the youngsters.

N. Ramesh,
Chennai

It is surprising that Mr. Sudarshan has chosen to attack Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani when they are not in power. He could have made these remarks during the NDA regime. What the BJP needs now is to make its ideology clear and refurbish its image.

Priya M. Meenakshi,
Chennai

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