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print versionRemember Rajeshwar Singh, the RSS functionary and president of the Dharm Jagran Samiti (DJS) who was at the forefront of the reconversion or ‘ghar wapsi’ programmes in Uttar Pradesh in which some Muslims and Christians were reportedly ‘reconverted’ to Hinduism. DJS in league with the Bajrang Dal was behind the reconversion of Muslims at Agra on 8 December 2014. This programme drew widespread condemnation. Investigations made it clear that that poor Muslims of a slum in Agra were told by local RSS activists that, under a development programme of the Modi government if they attended a havan (a Hindu sacrificial ceremony), they would get ration cards and other basic amenities. Some 250 people attended the ceremony. When the ritual was over, the participants were told that they had all become Hindus. Singh claimed to have reconverted 72 Valmiki families from Christianity in Asroi village in Agra. Later, he conducted another "reconversion" in Hasayan village.
Rajeshwar Singh is the person who declared that “Our target is to make India a Hindu Rashtra by 2021. The Muslims and Christians don’t have any right to stay here…So they would either be converted to Hinduism or forced to run away from here†. He reiterated that “I will ensure that India is freed of Muslims and Christians by December 31, 2021†[1]. The reconversion campaign by the DJS was, in fact, part of the RSS programme was made clear by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) secretary general, Champat Rai who told the journalists that there was nothing new with the DJS campaign as this was a VHP campaign going on for the last 60 years. He referred to a resolution regarding initiating such a campaign which was passed during the 1966 Maha Kumbh in Allahabad. When asked about the reaction of Modi, he said, “his silence means his approval. It is the right time for us to fulfill our agenda†[2].
Rajeshwar Singh’s activities and statements turned into a great controversy and embarrassment for Modi government. The Opposition confronted the government in Parliament and asked the NDA government to rein in such hotheads of the RSS. The BJP sources at that time told the nation that the Modi government had intervened and Rajeshwar Singh was sent on leave. However, according to the Times of India (dated 2 April, 2015) Rajeshwar Singh, the force behind the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s high-octane ghar wapsi programme in western Uttar Pradesh last year, who was quietly sent on a three-month leave by the RSS later, is back with an elevation. From the fringe body, Singh has now been promoted to the parent organization. According to regional RSS leaders, this is indeed a shot in the arm for Singh.
According to the report Singh’s new designation is Chhetra Pracharak (Karyakari Sadasyata) and he will work towards augmenting the ranks of the RSS in the region.
Dinesh Kumar, the Braj prant (Braj region meaning Aligarh, Mathura & Agra) pracharak of Sangh, said, "Rajeshwar Singh worked with one sangathan and he is now back with the matra sangathan (parent organization), which is a good thing for any pracharak." Kumar clarified that Singh was not dumped and had gone on leave in January as he wasn’t keeping well.
Singh, who will now be shifting base to Meerut from Agra on April 7, told TOI over phone, "According to our internal hierarchy, RSS is at the top, followed by VHP and others, while DJS is at the bottom of the rung. I worked in DJS since 1996 and now I am back with the matra sangathan." Talking about his new role, Singh said, "I have continuously worked for the Sangh’s campaigns and programmes. I will wait for the orders. Even earlier, there were orders to conduct ghar wapsi, which I followed." He added, "My hard work and struggles have paid off as I am now associated (directly) with RSS" [3].
Thus the RSS campaigns to undo India continue unabated. It shows that the NDA government at the centre led by Modi is in cahoots with RSS unreservedly.
Shamsul Islam
notoinjustice[at]gmail.com
