The Hindu : Front Page : Vajpayee criticises RSS attempt to restrict thought process

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 26, 2005

Front Page

Front Page

Vajpayee criticises RSS attempt to restrict thought process

"It is a constantly evolving process; there should be room for fresh thoughts"

NEW DELHI: In an apparent disapproval of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's insistence on sticking to its core ideology in the changing times, the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said on Sunday that thinking was an evolutionary process that could not be curbed.

Without mentioning the Sangh's denouncement of the Bharatiya Janata Party chief, L.K. Advani's controversial remarks on Jinnah, Mr. Vajpayee said, "Our friends have made an attempt to limit the thought process. It is not necessary that all of us accept it [ideology] in the same form as others."

"There can be no restriction on thoughts, which is a constantly evolving process. ... There should be room for fresh thoughts and ideas," he said at the party headquarters here at a function to mark the 89th birth anniversary of party ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay.

Observing that it was impractical to rein in the thought process of any individual, he said, "It is difficult to pinpoint the final principle of any ideology. It is, therefore, not right to adopt an attitude that what we have accepted as the final principle of our ideology is the ultimate truth." Recalling that Upadhyay favoured fresh ideas and thoughts in pursuit of ideology, Mr. Vajpayee said there were times when there were differences within the RSS on Upadhyay's ideas. "Deendayal also tried to pursue fresh ideas and thoughts, due to which he suffered occasionally. In the long run, however, he was proved right."

Advocating fresh ideas and thoughts, he said, "It is essential that our ideology stands the test of being beneficial for humankind as a whole. The thought process will evolve constantly. Exchange of ideas will also take place. The process will not come to a halt at any time."

"Image dented"

Party vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu, who was also present, said the BJP's image had been dented due to the recent happenings.

Mr. Vajpayee also released a collection of essays, "Challenges," written by Upadhyay. The essays mention terrorism, casteism, unemployment, inflation and corruption as major challenges facing the country. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page