BENGALURU: In its first official statement since the farmers’ protest broke out in India, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday backed the PM Modi-led BJP government and claimed that the farmers’ agitation has been overshadowed by anti-national and anti-social elements for political gains.
In its annual report for the year 2020-21, released at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) in Bengaluru, RSS said: “The problem becomes more serious when anti-national and anti-social forces try to thwart the ongoing efforts towards a solution (farmers protest). The leadership of the present agitation should not allow such a situation to arise.”
The RSS has said it has been “feeling” that such forces are trying to create an “environment of disturbance” and “instability” in the country to achieve their political ambitions.
“In a democracy, all have the freedom of expressing their views but none can be given the right to create disturbance and instability in the country,” said its statement.
The Sangh has implored the government and the agitating farmers to once again come to the table and clear the impasse over the farm laws.
Defending the government by saying the Centre did accept a few proposals to modify laws and claiming that the farmers were “firm” on their demands, it said “it is not in anyone’s interest for any kind of agitation to be prolonged for a long time. Discussions are a must, but with a view to finding a solution. It is possible that not all issues are agreed upon but it is essential that some agreements must be reached upon.”
The RSS is expected to further dwell into this issue at the ABPS.
However, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah (joint secretary) Manmohan Vaidya said there will be no political resolution at the meet and the farm laws’ political implication may not be discussed at the meet.