The chintan shivir was a party session, and Sushilkumar Shinde seemed to have been in some confusion over his roles as senior Congress leader and as Union Home Minister when he attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for “inciting Hindu terrorism” through “training camps.” While he had every right to criticise the BJP and the RSS for their policies and programmes at a party forum, Mr. Shinde should have realised his responsibility as Union Home Minister and not triggered a fusillade of allegations that were short on substance and long on rhetoric. There is a larger irony in Mr. Shinde’s over-the-top rhetoric. For the longest time, the intelligence agencies and police across India refused to take the threat posed by Hindutva extremists seriously and framed innocent Muslim youth for the blasts in Hyderabad and Malegaon. When evidence first emerged of a Hindutva terror network, the authorities took forever to connect the dots. Instead of punishing those in the police who tortured innocent men in Hyderabad and elsewhere, and quietly but doggedly going after the real perpetrators, the minister has reduced the problem to one of politics. Not only did Mr. Shinde fail to provide evidence for his allegations, he has no explanation for his government not having acted on these serious charges. If he really has proof that the opposition party is inciting terrorism, why has he not prosecuted its leaders? There is no doubt that some BJP leaders interceded on behalf of those accused of the terrorist bombing in Malegaon. But surely the worst they are guilty of in that case is bad judgment, not abetment or incitement.
Mr. Shinde’s use of the phrase ‘Hindu terrorism’ to describe terror acts committed by fanatics in the name of their religion is as objectionable, and inaccurate, as the use of the term ‘Muslim terrorism,’ but the BJP should not be in denial about the fact that such acts do indeed take place. Independent India’s first terrorist crime was the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, a man driven by the ideology of Hindutva. As for the present, the police have said the bomb blasts aboard the Pakistan-bound Samjhauta Express, and at mosques in Hyderabad and Malegaon, were carried out by extremists with “links” to the RSS and other Hindutva-oriented factions. It is possible, even likely, that those arrested are just the tip of a bigger iceberg. Nevertheless, Mr. Shinde had no business blithely connecting these incidents to the BJP without proof. India has enough trouble facing up to the terrorist threat without it being made a political tool by the Congress to fling reckless charges. Empty rhetoric can only aid, not hurt, terrorism.
Keywords: Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Chintan Shivir, saffron terrorism, BJP, RSS, Jaipur conclave, AICC meeting, RSS backed terrorism, Hindu terrorism
I really wonder how you expect a politician like Mr. Sinde, who unfortunately happens to be our Home Minister, to THINK BEFORE TALKING. That is something they are not used to. Such politicians do not talk but only babble.We have to suffer them till they continue to curse the public offices they hold.
Your editorial strikes the right chord in condemning the irresponsible remarks by the union Minister. If an RSS sympathizer commits a crime, the blame cannot be on RSS. If people wearing saffron color dress commits a crime, it does not mean it is "saffron terrorism". Every terrorist should be punished as per the law of the land irrespective of their class/ religion and their preferences to particular ideology/ dress etc. Can Shinde prove that RSS/ BJP are terrorist organizations and ban them from public? This outburst is as stupid as Pakistan terrorist organizations once claimed LTTE's killing of Sri Lankan Muslims as "Hindu Terrorism"! This attempt to "Polarize votes" on communal grounds proves the insecurity of Congress on their winning chances in 2014 elections.
Equating Godse's act with terrorism is misplaced.
We need man of deeds but unfortunately we have man of words in UPA II if
their statements after any unbecoming in the past is any indication
The comments from Home Minister Mr. Shinde shows how much is irresponsible when talks in public place.Such statements can disturb the harmony of our country.As author also said if they are inciting Hindu terrorism then why you are not putting those behind bars how without any proof such a high profile leader can speak in publicly.
If such statements will be make between the parties itself then Democracy will be in lurch.They are your opposition party not a terrorist. If there is no opposition then how you can say this is a democratic country then every time one party will come and rule the nation in any manner.So please respect your position and your opposition party also.
WELL SAID,Mr Shinde needed the guidelines that how can he should behave,or render statements publicly.
he being Home Minister should have considered that it would have larger adverse fallout.
the reason why Hafeez syed demanded that "India be declared a state emanating terrorism on its soil" has ground from the shinde's allegation on RSS and BJP.
A wasted effort on your part Sir. Mr Shinde is in the habit of putting his foot in the mouth. 'You will forget coalgate like you forgot Bofors' was one when he took both his feet into the mouth. This time around he has swallowed upto his knees. It is a pity that the UPA hier-archy (read Sonia) keeps quite instead of giving him a dressing down.
May be you should have addressed this editorial to Sonia instead of Shinde who like all other ministers speaks what he is told to speak.
I wonder, how the author remembered Gandhiji's assasination as the first act of terror and not the killing of innocent civilians throughout the nation in name of religion at the very birth of nation.Terrorism has no name and face whether it was Nazi authored holocaust or Ugandan genocide or any other such inhumane efforts driven by either fanatic ideals or personal motives.
This article is sort of a political advice to Sushilkumar Shinde. Hope
he reads.
The comments from Mr Shinde are not at all in the interest of nation. At
such a renowned status, he has to restrain his words. Rather than
uttering out, he has to take requisite steps to curb any type of
activity which can cause instability in India.
I would like to make one correction about what the author has
mentioned regarding so called 'first terrorist act in India'.
The death of Gandhiji because of Nathuram Godse was clearly NOT an act
of terrorism. Neither it is true that Godse was driven by Hinduism. He
was very clear in his thoughts (which is well described in a marathi
drama 'Me nathuram godse boltoy- Nathuram Godse speaking). The
'Gandhi-vadh' was for internal political reasons and Godse had
justified his act in court too. So please don't mention it as 'act of
terrorism'!
Regarding S. Shinde's comment on hindu terrorism, it is high time we
act towards controlling what big leaders say in front of crowd.
Otherwise what is the difference between Owasisi and him?
Home Minister Shinde has accused the BJP/RSS for "inciting Hindu terrorism" through "training camps.The Minister could not have spoken so without satisfying himself of availability of evidence.He should have initiated the necessary action against the inciters of terrorism to get them punished. Such a duty has been cast upon him as the country's Home Minister. Not doing so would amount to dereliction of duty.
Did some googling on RSS, and found the following:
RSS does not have any system of formal membership (unlike political
parties), anyone can attend Shakha, and be a pracharak without any
formal membership
RSS runs 17000 primary - middle schools in India
RSS has a base of close to 10 million people who attend its Shakhas.
RSS has been praised by the likes of Dr. Zakir Hussain, JP, Pt. Nehru
for their social service. There are cases where RSS volunteers were
present before army reached during natural calamities.
In the light of all the above mentioned, I don't think that 10
criminals association with RSS can make it a Terrorist Organization.
If tomorrow, 10 members of any political party (CPI or Congress or
BJP) are caught in criminal activity, you won't call the party a
Criminal's party. Isnt it?
I personally think our leaders should avoid giving any statement which will create controversy. Mr. Shinde is our honourable Home Minister now and if he has evidence against BJP and RSS then he sould take action instead of giving a controversial statement.
It looks this editorial is written in confused state of mind... on one
side TH wants to tell Home Minister is right on Hindu terrorism on other
side TH does not want to take side of Home Minister fully... TH has to
understand one thing, this issue is not related to Hindus and Muslims,
this issue is related to Patriotism and affection on the nation. If what
Home Minister said is true means he should take action against the
culprits if his words are based on media reports and unconfirmed reports
means Minister has to tender apology to the nation. A few misguided
persons can't represent Hindus or our nation but Congress and our media
is trying to malign our nation by creating non existing Hindu
terrorism....
"When evidence first emerged of a Hindutva terror network, the authorities took forever to connect the dots."
How many years are needed to connect all dots and complete the picutre? Sadhvi Praghya Singh, Col. Prasad Purohit and other 9 persons have been arrested in Oct 2008 and they are in jail since last 51 months. Despite their long stint in jail, the police are yet to file a charge sheet. Initially, this case was investigated by Maharastra CID, then by ATS lead by late Hemant Karkare, then by a SIT, then by CBI, then by another SIT and now NIA is investigating it. All accused have undergone narco tests as many as 4 times, but the agencies have failed to collect any tangible evidence to file the charge sheet. How many more years the agencies would need to file the charge sheet?
It seems there is only politics in arresting these accused and keeping them in jail as long as UPA wants.
"Independent India’s first terrorist crime was the assassination of
Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, a man driven by the ideology of
Hindutva." - This statement is a completely farce and misplaced.
Assassination of Bapu was anything but not terrorist act. Yes
Nathuram was driven by ideology but never waged war against the
state or never took state on ransom. Second, Abhinav Bharat is the
organization, members of which are involved in Mecca Mosque Blast
and Samjhauta Express. It is the very much modus operandi of
Communal Congress to implicate there political & ideological
opponents in any horrendous act. For example - after the
assassination of Bapu Congress tried hard to implicate V.D.Savarkar,
it went onto banning RSS but ban was lifted later because nothing
could be found against the swayamsevaks. And this is how Congress
brought a bad name to Hindu Mahasabha consequently political death
of the political party.
Hindutva Terrorism has developed as a back lash of Islamist Terrorism in the 1990s and in the first decade of this century. The assassination of Gandhiji is perhaps is the only incident before that period. True, there have been communal riots but extremists in both communities have been culprits. The Hindu can verify this from its archives.
Your editorial appears contradictory at many places. After admitting that "evidence emerged of a Hindutva terror network" and of clues linking the bomb blasts aboard the Samjhauta Express and at mosques in Hyderabad and Malegaon with RSS and other Hindutva-oriented factions, and describing Godse as independent India's first terrorist, referring to Home Minister Shinde's remarks as 'reckless charges' and 'empty rhetoric' does not stand to reason. And as far as BJP-RSS links are concerned, all the top leaders of BJP, including former PM Vajpayee and L K Advani were moulded by RSS and even while in the government they have repeatedly proclaimed their pride in their association with that organisation.
It’s not important to deliberate on whether BJP is instigating
terrorism within our sovereignty, but the central theme of discussion
and deliberation should be converged into what our honourable home
minister perpetrated by pasting the term ‘Saffron Terror’ to the face
of our principal opposition party in front of the flashes of media
channels, thus paving path for the opposition to reiterate their
demand for the UPA supremo to apologise for such a rhetoric comment.
While in power a minister should be judicious about his steps before
making any comment publicly. It’s irrelevant at this point of time to
sneak through the link between RSS and extremists rather we must
contradict such statements having no legal base. Instead of wrapping
up the veil of constitutional safeguards to comment anything
defamatory with a view to destabilise the position of BJP in the next
general election, Mr.Shinde should meticulously look forward to focus
on his ministerial agenda keeping 2014 in focus.
Iam referring to the hindu editorial which has commented about
our home minister,s remark on another political party and its
political guru RSS.I agree with the editor that whether the comment
is from home minister or from a political leader. In either way,it
is unfortunate, that he has created a controversy and BJP is asking
him to apologise. All along Mr Shinde is not in the habit of passing
such remarks and perhaps he wanted to create a sensation and be in
the lime light.In the process he got a beating from the congress by
disowning his remarks which is his own and not shared by other
leaders in the congress.I totally agree with editorial that
political leaders should think before they talk.this is the remedy
for avoiding controversies
THE HINDU has not approved Mr. Shinde but, you are also blaming RSS and BJP indirectly with no proof!! Other you are defending Shinde!! Godse was not a terrorist. It is true that killing of Mahatma Gandhi was a criminal act fit for capital punishment but you cannot call it Hindtwa terrorism. Even the Judge sentenced Godse and Apte was very sympathetic to them. While pronouncing the judgment, the honorable judge expressed his opinion "If I ask people here to give judgment, they would have oquited them". Now you read your editorial once again!!
If Home minister is telling that BJP & RSS are inciting Hindu
terrorism, he should come with some proofs. If RSS and BJP have
training camps in India, the government should act against them. The
congress and BJP always criticize Pakistan of not taking action
against terrorist camp but if India can not take action against these
camps, operating on its own soil, it is big failure for the country
who aspire to be super power and continuously claim to be a regional
power. Man at position of Mr shinde if comments irresponsibly, he only
undermines the prestige of his post which is very harmful for
country's overall image. These type of comments are very well
exploited by Jihadi's organisations.I will urge supreme court to take
cognizance of matter and to prove it in the court. If it proved then
harshest punishment must be given to BJP and RSS leaders responsible
for terrorism. If it is not proved, appropriate steps should be taken
against him with suitable punishment to stop dirty politics.
My personal suggestion. Sensitive issues such as this should be diluted properly and not to impose neutral judgments which inturn is caustic in its way. HINDU , being people's mirror, shall not quote such examples even though if it is been stated by someoneelse or happened somewhere in the past.
Yes, its inaccurate to use the term 'Hindu' or 'Muslim' terrorism but
I see the world and media very much like to use the term 'Islamic
terrorism' 'Islamist militant' and they very much identify those
extremist as being muslim. How is this accurate and how does it
differentiate others from Home minister's mindset?
On the other hand it is now evident that even after knowing the
threats from facist organisation, the government and state machinery
chose to cover these stories and protect the criminals and instead
frame innocents without guilty of charge. E.g in Malegaon blast case,
the maulana who recently died having served 6 years in jail. In both
cases the people were acquitted.
Though I am a regular reader of "HINDU", off late I feel badly about the adverse news only being published regularly in Hindu about B.J.P. and R.S.S.
But this time I highly appreciated the views expressed in this editorial column as well as in today cartoon by Mr.Surendra and yesterday cartoon by Mr.Kesav.
Our Home minister has crossed all the limits. It is the right time our P.M. has to intervene in this matter immediately and sort out this issue.
Our political leaders are in the habit of levelling charges for scoring off each other and rarely get them investigated to know the truth.Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde should have conclusive and concrete proof of the BJP and the RSS 'inciting Hindu terrorism . So far the Congress leadership has been in a sphinx - mode on the spat between Shinde and the Saffron Parivar. It should either support Sushilkumar's allegations or reprimand him for exceeding his brief.
Describing Nathuram Godse as a "terrorist" is inaccurate use of language just to score a few brownie points. He was at best an assassin. Let us not view historical events through lenses colored by contemporary history. Please spare history from political propaganda!
It is unbecoming of the stature of a National Newspaper such as THE HINDU to go back in history and call Godse the first terrorist of Independent India. What would those responsible for the mass killings in Bengal post-independence and more recently in Mumbai and other places be called by your esteemed Newspaper?
The statements made by the Home minister is representative of the warped mindset of the so-called 'secular' elite in India. Terrorists have no religion as rightly pointed out , but there is no point in sweeping some glaring statistics under the carpet.
Hope you continue to be neutral in Analysis
I agree with you. It is an irresponsible statement by the home minister of the country.
The entire congress leadership has lost its bearings!
Independent India’s first terrorist crime was the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, a man driven by the ideology of Hindutva.
Before such a serious charge is made, the editors should disclose the court proceedings that accused Godse and let the public know the motive for Godse's act. Lets not forget that Veer Savarkar was also tried for the killing of Gandhi and in the last decade we just named a major airport in Andaman to memorialize Veer Savarkar.
True.
By using the term "Hindu terrorism" Mr.HM has indeed put foot in his
mouth.When the ruling party itself has made it clear that terrorism
has no religion ,then how come the term is finding support by various
of its ministers!Doesn't it has the potential to dent the communal
harmony? Yes,there are fundamentalists in various religions,but can a
particular community be faulted?
Instead what HM should have done ,he should have spoken with clarity
and proofs as he is privy to the matters related to law and order in
the country.By using the vague words,he has only set the cat among the
pigeons.Perpetrators,irrespective of religion should be dealt
firmly,in order to send strong message to uphold the values of our
constitution.But vague talks serve the opposite.A man of the authority
and post of HM should exercise utmost restraint while making such
objectionable remarks.
Are you calling Nathuram Godse a terrorist because he assassinated Gandhi? Terrorism is directed against a community and ideology as a whole. Equating assassination of an important public figure to terrorism to draw parallels between two religious fanatic groups is not proper. Killing is not justified be it Gandhi or a common man. However such discourses are not going to help the fight against terror. Instead of waging war against terror we are engaging in cheap publicity.
Please Email the Editor