Another day, another tempest in a teacup about who said what to whom and who else took offence! RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat made a statement and many took offence. There were calls for an apology and criticism levelled against the organisation. The RSS also issued a clarification thereafter. We look at the back and forth as well as the #ApologiseRSS tweets and reactions.
Speaking at an RSS meeting in Muzaffarpur recently, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said this: “Preparing an army takes six to seven months but we [RSS cadres] will be battle ready in two-three days...this is our capability and discipline that marks us apart.”
He clarified that the RSS is not a military or a para-military organisation, but a cultural one; in spite of that its cadres can be battle ready in days. Among the many reactions that the statements evoked was this cartoon; which seems to signify the mismatch between a ‘cultural’ organisation and military activities.
Fuelled mostly by one’s political persuasion, the Tweeple came out either in support of the RSS or against the words of its chief. Many were calling for the RSS to issue an apology for the ‘insult’ to the armed forces.
Some commentators were anxious to clear the air and to show the respect that the RSS has for the Indian army. Hence it was clarified that Mohan Bhagwat was speaking about the readiness of the Indian public vis-à-vis RSS workers; saying that the latter would be battle ready within days whereas the Indian public at large would take 6 months if both were trained by the Indian army.
Some commentators found the clarification to be inadequate. It failed to clarify why the Indian Army would require the assistance of any civilian force when it is a highly trained, skilled and professional unit fully capable of taking on any challenge to the nation and its sovereignty.
Many expressed puzzlement at the idea of a cultural organisation taking up arms; questioning the requirement or circumstances for a cultural organisation to become a militant one.
The khaki shorts worn by the RSS workers are frequently the subject matter of jokes. Predictably in this instance as well, the shorts and the lathis wielded by workers came in for some ribbing.
Some of the tweeple also chose to make some jokes about mooli ke paranthe and (presumably flatulence) helping to create an airborne militia.
Several unions and other ministers from the ruling dispensation rushed to defend and clarify statements made by the RSS chief. The tweeple thought it was strange that so many in the government saw the need to defend the words of a nongovernment organisation's representative.
Some of the Tweeple were of the view that since the RSS worker is so disciplined and battle ready, the trained personnel providing security to the RSS chief may be replaced with the workers themselves.
Many made historical references to the fact of the RSS’s negligible role in fighting for Indian independence and suggested that the organisation and its members should enlist.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
