Interview Of The Week - MADAN DAS DEVI
_________________________________________________

‘Govt staff, politicians are different; Advani is a swayamsevak, that’s why he was in Agra’

It's a role that has traditionally been the preserve of K. Sudarshan till he became the organisation’s sarsangchalak. Now, there’s a new co-ordinator between the RSS and the BJP: Madan Dass Devi, number three in the RSS and considered a moderate. Excerpts from an interview with NEERJA CHOWDHURY:

The RSS is emerging as the main opposition to the Government...
Our role is not pro or anti anybody. The RSS has issues and we speak about them. The BJP shares some of these issues, that’s why we remind them of it.

You seem unhappy with the Government’s economic agenda.
The economic problems of poverty are yet to be addressed. Our problems have to be faced by us. Ours is a 71 per cent agriculture country; In America, only 1 per cent are farmers. We have a 100 crore population, America has 20 crore. Quantitative restrictions have been removed under WTO and will be removed for 700 more items next year. The WTO may be the legacy of the old government, but the Government should come out of these compulsions.

Isn’t it a bit late for that?
IT’S never too late. They have given us a promise that they’ll do it.

When?
On August 17, we had a baithak along with the Swadeshi Jagran Manch , where Yashwant Sinha gave us the commitment. The government conceded our demand to make available ordinary salt. Ultimately, the Health Ministry issued the notification.

Some believe there’s a design in your attacking the Government in order to occupy the opposition space, now that the BJP is on the downslide.
IF this is a plan, why are opposition parties facilitating it with their silence? Are they part of the plan too?

Govindacharya said the next stage of struggle would be a combination of Hinduness, not Hindutva, with antyodaya (welfare of the last man).
WE don’t feel uniformity is necessary. Survival of the fittest is a Western concept. There is nothing special about the idea that those who earn feed themselves. The point is to feed others. Hindu is connected with India and its identity. Bharatiya is the same. Call it Bharatiya if you like. Call it manaviya. But others will not comply because they have their own dogmas. That’s Indianness, Hinduness.

But the RSS chief has called for the Indianisation of the Church.
THE all religion meet in New York recently passed a resolution that all religions are equal. We don’t accept what the Pope said — that all religions are not equal. This shows they want conversions. Sudarshanji pointed this out. But the media picks up words and creates fear psychosis in minorities.

Will you take up conversion as an issue now?
It's not raised by us. Ours is a reaction to what the Pope has said.

Who do you see as Vajpayee’s successor?
THE party (BJP) will decide. The RSS may be consulted, just as we were consulted when Vajpayee became PM.

Some suggest that the trifurcation of J&K is one solution to the problem.
The RSS feels that because of Article 370, the Valley is ruling the state and resources are concentrated in the Valley. You could have a Development Authority in different regions and allocate finances directly from the Centre. Another way can be to delete Article 370.

Does this not mean accepting statehood or nationhood on the basis of religion which we rejected at the time of Partition?
REGIONWISE, it would be important to include Gujjars and Bakarwals in Jammu. Otherwise we should not accept a separate Jammu. Ladakh and Jammu also sense a certain distance from the rest of India. It is also a reaction to the autonomy resolution.

The Gujarat Government had to withdraw the circular allowing government servants to take part in RSS shakhas. But the Home Minister attended the RSS programme in Agra.
THERE’S a difference between government servants and politicians. He (Advani) is a swayamsevak, that is why he came. As Home Minister, he knows what his responsibilities are.
The BJP came out of the Janata Party on the issue of dual membership. Only those who wanted to retain their links with the RSS formed the BJP.

Will you support Mamata?
WHY not? If a combination (with the BJP) is there. After all, she is raising issues of infiltration, victimisation, economic misconduct.

This is not the position in UP.
THE difference is, if we are unhappy, we will be less active.

What’s happening on the temple front in Ayodhya?
THE temple should be built there. But we have left it to the VHP and the dharmacharyas. Unless the Government gives land, we cannot proceed further.
n What do you make of Bangaru Laxman’s call to the Muslims to join the BJP?
IT is consistent with the policies of the Jan Sangh, tried to become an all pervasive party. But it was branded as a party of one section. He has reminded people of areas which are still uncovered, where we have not yet reached.

Next - Straight Face