The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) came out openly in support of Narendra Modi government on Friday on various issues which have put the ruling party in dock.
Addressing a press conference after the inauguration of its three day Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) here, the RSS Sah Sarkaryavaha (Additional General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosbale said, “There is no reason to be unhappy with Modi government. Its nine months’ tenure shows it is working in the right direction. Don’t expect a big turnaround in nine months. Give them (government) five years.”
Supporting Modi government on land acquisition bill, Mr.Hosbale, who is speculated to replace RSS’s general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi in the ABPS, said that his organization did not think that the bill was “anti-farmer”.
“I don’t think the bill is anti-farmer because the government has brought in amendments which are in favor of farmers. But the government should work towards proper implementation of those farmer friendly amendments at ground level,” he said.
On the opposition of the Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS) to the bill, he said that the BMS was an independent organization with a right to express its views freely.
Reacting to the “uneasy alliance” between the BJP and the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr.Hosbale clarified that the RSS’s stand with regard to the state remained unchanged.
“There is absolutely no change in our stand on J&K. Entire nation is pained over the recent happenings in J&K and we share that feeling. What is happening there is not entirely correct. Even the PM and the BJP have aired their opinion on the issue clearly. But give both the parties some time. For the first time a nationalistic party has come to power in the state,” said Mr.Hosbale.
However, he warned the BJP that the situation in J&K was being closely monitored and “decisions” would be taken if things did not improve.
Mr.Hosbale denied that the RSS’s ABPS would discuss the issue “Ghar Vapasi” program run by some of its affiliated organizations.
“The RSS has nothing do with Ghar Vapasi but we give our best wishes to those who are doing it,” he pointed out.
The RSS’s Sah Sarkaryavaha also claimed that his organizations has witnessed “increased acceptance” in Indian society and there had been 18 per cent increase in centers across the country where some kind of RSS’s activity took place in last three years.