Introduction
In the dynamic political landscape of India, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its leaders play a significant role. At the helm of this influential organization is Mohan Bhagwat, while Narendra Modi, India's Prime Minister, has a longstanding association with the RSS.
Mohan Bhagwat's Leadership
Mohan Bhagwat, the current Sarsanghchalak (Chief) of the RSS, has been leading the organization since 2009. The RSS is a prominent Hindu nationalist and right-wing volunteer organization in India, with a vast network of branches and affiliated groups collectively known as the Sangh Parivar. Bhagwat's leadership has been marked by a commitment to promoting Hindu culture, values, and traditions in India.
Positive Contributions
The RSS and its affiliates have been involved in numerous social service projects, including disaster relief efforts, schools, hospitals, and vocational training centers. They actively promote Indian culture and heritage, organize festivals, and emphasize character-building and leadership training for the youth. Additionally, the RSS runs various educational initiatives and provides healthcare services to those in need. Environmental initiatives, crisis response teams, and the promotion of yoga and traditional medicine are also part of their activities. Many individuals associated with the RSS engage in philanthropic endeavors, contributing to various charitable causes.
Narendra Modi's Journey
Narendra Modi's journey from a young RSS member to the Prime Minister of India is noteworthy. He joined the local branch of the RSS at the age of eight and became a permanent member in the late 1960s. Modi's association with the RSS continued to shape his political ideology and approach, ultimately leading him to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is closely aligned with the RSS.
Political Ascendancy
Modi's political career took off in the late 1980s, and he served in various roles within the BJP. In 1985, the RSS assigned him to the BJP and two years later, he made his first big contribution to the party by successfully organizing the BJP’s campaign in the Ahmedabad Municipality Elections which the BJP comfortably won. Thanks to his numerous contributions, he was elected as the BJPs organizing secretary of the BJP’s Gujarat unit. Eventually, Modi Ji rose through the BJP ranks and was appointed as the BJP General Secretary(Organising). His clever strategies are the reason behind numerous wins in the elections for the BJP.
He became the Chief Minister of Gujarat and later assumed the position of the Prime Minister of India in 2014. His deep-rooted connections with the RSS have played a significant role in shaping his political journey and governance style.
Clear Bias
The distinction between how HAMAS and RSS are portrayed on Wikipedia is a perfect example of how Western Media groups view RSS. HAMAS is widely recognized as a terrorist organization, yet its Wikipedia page refers to it as a ‘political entity’. In contrast, the Wikipedia page for RSS includes terms like "far-right," "Hindu Nationalist," and "Paramilitary." These discrepancies in terminology suggest a disparity in how Western media characterizes these groups.
HAMAS has been involved in launching rockets into Israeli cities, while the RSS focuses on self-defense training using sticks. HAMAS has used civilian relief routes for smuggling parts of rockets and construction materials for underground tunnels for attacking Israel, while the RSS engages in disaster relief efforts. HAMAS uses schools and hospitals to launch rockets and hide entrances to their tunnels. RSS runs schools and hospitals for the underprivileged.
These distinctions highlight a disparity in the portrayal of these organizations and raise questions about the clear bias that these organizations hold against RSS.
Western Media and Controversies
The relationship between Western media, particularly in the context of Narendra Modi, has been marked by old prejudices and controversies. Since his days as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2002, PM Modi has faced criticism in the Western media for his alleged role in inciting the riots. However, it's important to note that the Supreme Court of India gave him a clean chit in this regard. After taking office as Prime Minister, the Western media's criticism of India and Modi has continued to intensify.
BBC Documentary Controversy
One instance that drew significant attention was the BBC documentary titled "Narendra Modi: India's Divisive Prime Minister." The documentary's timing, released during the Indian general elections in 2019, raised concerns about a potential political agenda. The documentary had a negative bias against Modi, relied on questionable sources, and oversimplified the complexity of Indian politics. The absence of interviews with Modi or members of his government was seen as a missed opportunity to present a balanced perspective.
Conclusion
The complex relationship between Mohan Bhagwat, Narendra Modi, and the RSS is a significant factor in India's political landscape. While the RSS is involved in a wide range of social service and cultural preservation activities, the Western media houses continue to show it as an organization that should be feared and banned.
As India continues to evolve on the global stage, it is essential to approach these historic biases with a united response from the Public and the government.
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