RSS stands by "Bangalore Resolution."

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RSS stands by resolution

 

By Our Staff Reporter

 

 

BANGALORE MARCH 22. The leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,

K. S. Sudarshan, today reiterated the Sangh's stand on Muslims as

articulated in the March 17 "Bangalore Resolution." The resolution

had categorically stated, in response to the Godhra incidents, that

the Muslims must understand that their real safety lay in the

goodwill of the majority. He was speaking at the sixth national-

level discussion between the RSS and Christian leaders at the United

Theological College here.

 

Mr. Sudarshan chose the occasion of the sixth dialogue between the

RSS and the Christian religious leaders in 18 months to point out

that everywhere in the world, the minority groups had to "learn to

keep peace with the majority group." However, he evaded a question

at a press conference later on how the minority could earn the

goodwill of the majority. He merely said thousands of Hindus were

hounded out of Kashmir. They were a mere three per cent of the

population, yet they were not allowed to live in peace in their

homeland.

 

In his speech that lasted more than 80 minutes, Mr. Sudarshan dwelt

on "touchy issues'' like "saffronisation of education," and the

minorities' "penchant" for "forgetting the shared histories and the

past,'' despite the fact that they had been Hindus a few generations

ago.

 

He said the so-called "saffronisation of education" was not intended

to force Hinduism on anyone, but to "right certain historical wrongs

which have persisted despite 50 years of Independence, thanks to

Leftist and pro-West leanings of intellectuals who are entrusted

with the task of writing textbooks.''

 

Mr. Sudarshan voiced concern over "mass conversions." Conflicts

arose when proponents of one religion insisted that "our way is the

only way'' and took to inducements and psychological pressure to

force conversions.

 

Today's discussion, according to the joint press release from the

RSS and the Christian leaders, was an "attempt to understand the RSS

ideology of reuniting and rejuvenating Hindus of this country, and

how the minorities fit into the scheme of things."

 

The March 17 resolution of the RSS was discussed at length, but

inconclusively, as it had apparently "confused'' the minorities who

did not quite know how to "earn the goodwill of the majority group."

The security and safety of the minorities and the interpretation

of "Swadeshi church" as the RSS terms it, were also discussed.