<div><strong>Suchetana Ray</strong></div><div> </div><div>At a time when the only things trending in India are intolerance and soaring pulse prices, RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat’s address to the nation was keenly followed by all and sundry. On the occasion of Vijayadashami, Bhagwat delivered his customary speech at Nagpur to mark the founding day of RSS. His 55-minute speech assumes significance not only because it was telecast live by the national broadcaster but also since this speech by the head of the Hindutva fountainhead will set the agenda for all its political and social affiliates. Many also keenly followed Bhagwat’s speech as his last had created a storm for its comments on reservation; an issue crucial to the ongoing Bihar elections.</div><div> </div><div>Mohan Bhagwat’s speech in Nagpur on Vijayadashami is an annual affair, but it has never been of national significance till Doordarshan decided to telecast it live since last year, ensuring its relevance to the nation.</div><div> </div><div>While no mention on reservations was made today, Mohan Bhagwat spoke at length about India’s culture of unity in diversity. He went on to explain that, “Small episodes happen. They get exaggerated and presented in a big way... But it does not distort Indian culture, Hindu culture. Since time immemorial, it respects diversity, coordinates among diversities to establish unity... This is Hindutva." He was obviously referring to the reports of lynchings over cow slaughter and beef consumption hitting headlines from several corners of the country. Bhagwat’s majoritarian arrogance is not to be missed. After all in a country of over a billion how does it matter if a few are killed, as long as they don’t belong to the majority community. </div><div> </div><div>With his comments today, Bhagwat now joins the long list luminaries in history who have been known for their communalism; racial or political. Hitler in 1920 had referred to Jews as “political bacillus” saying their annihilation is inevitable just as the “eradication of any disease”; so too much attention should not be paid to this. More recently, in 2008 the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had commented on the Singur killings referring to them as “small and unrelated episodes”. We all know that the Singur agitation and State Government approved police firing there was the beginning of the end of the 34 year-old Left-front regime in that State.</div><div> </div><div>Such disdain by Bhagwat in the face of growing intolerance in the country, many believe, will also set the tone for the government of the day; already under severe criticism for its silence over the several killings across the country, be it for daring to dissent or for simply being part of the minority community. </div><div> </div><div>The RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya, has already carried a cover story saying the Vedas order the killing of “sinners” who slaughter cows. And now Bhagwat has also put his stamp of approval to these killings by not condemning these heinous acts. Instead by declaring his myopic view of diversity on national television. According to Bhagwat, unity in India is possible only if the diversity of this country is forced to follow the diktats of one community. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>
