Hindutva and National Integration:

 Media Coverage  |  07-02-2022

We have faith in the tricolour, secularism & Constitution: Darda

The speeches of Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Dr Mohan Bhagwat and chairman of Editorial Board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda reflected unanimity on the subject of tolerance.

Darda said that he welcomed the ideologies of Sangh as well as its opponents. “We listen to the views of both sides carefully and this was Lokmat’s tradition. Only those people can invite opponents who have the capacity to think deeply. Even if the views are diametrically opposite, Lokmat belongs to all,” he added.

The former MP further said that when he invited the Sarsanghchalak to deliver a lecture on “Hindutva and National Integration”, many people were shocked.

“Many people raised objections. Why is there so much intolerance? The Sarsanghchalak by accepting our invitation has accorded respect to the fourth pillar of democracy.

Jawaharlal Darda alias Babuji, the founder of Lokmat Media group and veteran freedom fighter, used to say that the editorial page belonged to you but the remaining ones belonged to the readers. Therefore this newspaper should be all-encompassing. We have invited the Sarsanghchalak after a lot of thought. We believe in the tricolour, secularism and the Constitution. This is our religion and we follow it,” he added.

At the outset, while elaborating on Lokmat Media’s vision and mission Vijay Darda said, the seed sown by the founder of Lokmat Media group and veteran freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda has now become a huge banyan tree. This is the golden jubilee year of Lokmat’s Nagpur edition and it will be celebrated till 2023 during which a large number of functions will be organised.

Darda said that Lokmat Group had organised an inter-religious conference which was attended by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Ramdev, Acharya Lokesh Muni ji, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Pralhad Wamanrao Pai, Bhikkhu Sanghasena and Brahmaviharidas of BPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

“In the golden jubilee year, we had organised a rangoli contest in which thousands of participants created wonderful rangolis. Lokmat is not a media group but a family that fulfils its social obligations. In order to give Nagpur an international image we prepared a slogan – Desh Ki Shaan, Nagpur Meri Jaan. A theme song has been prepared on this theme, which was written by film lyricist Prashant Ingole and sung by famous singer Shankar Mahadevan. Ajinkya Sontakke had composed it,” he added.

Darda further said that Lokmat Sakhi Manch was an empowered forum for more than three lakh women. “We are imbibing cultural values in the youth through Lokmat Yuva Manch and Lokmat Bal Manch. We encourage budding musical talents through Lokmat SurJyotsna National Music Awards. We present awards to the best public representatives from gram panchayat-level to Parliament level through Lokmat Sarpanch Award, Lokmat Vidhimandal Award and Lokmat Parliamentarian Award,” he added.

Darda said that common people had several questions regarding RSS, Hindutva and other topics. They are:

• Which definition of Hindutva is correct, that of Swatrantraveer Sawarkar, RSS, Balasaheb Thackeray or Rahul Gandhi?
• US vice-president Kamala Harris says I am also Hindu but the type of Hindutva seen in India is not true Hindutva. Then what is Hindutva?
• India which spread the ideology of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to the entire world is in the grip of intolerance. Why?
• Will love ensure unity or by imposing your ideology on others? How will national integration be achieved by such deeds?
• Sangh had espoused the cause of Hindu Rashtra. Now the dream of Ram Temple has come true. Article 370 has been abolished. Now at which stage the Sangh’s idea of Hindu Rashtra is and if it happens will the country remain one?
• Hinduism is being taught in various universities. Is this a step towards the realisation of Hindu Rashtra?
• There are thousands of temples in South India but why has the BJP not been able to establish its base there?
• On one hand, we are talking about making India the vishwaguru but on the other hand quarrels over caste, religion and language are common. The countries which were founded on the basis of religion are in a bad condition. Why is there an effort to give a religious identity to the country?
• Will the language used in Haridwar Dharma Sansad not harm national unity? Why didn’t the RSS condemn such language?
• Politics is being done over love marriages and they are being termed as “Love Jihad”. Is our culture really endangered by love marriages?. Are honour killings a result of this?

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