PerformanceGurus Staff
New Delhi
The Modi government will have to make some course correction in its economic policies after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday came out against Western model of development and advocated policies rooted in “Indian thinking” with greater thrust on empowerment of rural areas.
Carefully wording its ‘concern’ without giving the impression that it was in any trying to influence the policy formulation and interfering in the functioning of the government, the Sangh gave enough hints about how it would like the Modi government to move forward in economic arena.
“Western models of development have failed and they are themselves looking for new models, he said. The country’s economy should be based on Indian thinking, identity and conduct,”
– RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale at a press conference, at the end of the three-day summit of RSS and top BJP leaders and Central ministers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the concluding session of the meet. Top ministers of Modi cabinet — Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, Venkaih Naidu and Ananth Kumar also attended the meet over the last three days. The coordination meet between the BJP and the RSS was presided over by the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Underlining the inputs received from the RSS delegates from across the country, Hosabole said there was general consensus that the economic model should have thrust on improving the rural life as people were migrating to urban areas for earning money through better employment, education and medical facilities.
The RSS also expressed serious concern over commercialization of education and said “education must be geographically accessible, financially affordable and socially inclusive.” Hosabale said the Sangh felt that there was a need to “Indianise” education.
Asked about criticism from political parties that the RSS was directing the government and ministers were violating the oath of secrecy by reporting to the Sangh, Hosabole he said, “We are not an illegal organisation. We are also citizens of the country. We have every right to ask ministers, who are also swayamsevaks. Where is the question of secrecy? Swayamsevaks have become ministers.”
The Sangh gave a thumbs up to the Modi government and said it was moving in the right direction. “Only 14 months have passed. There is more time and a lot more is to be done. Whatever has been done so far, the direction is right, dedication, commitment and achievements are good. We have to move forward. There cannot be 100 per cent satisfaction for everyone,” Hosabole said, clarifying the Sangh was not reviewing the performance of the Government but only sharing its inputs.
Distancing the RSS from the Ram temple issue, Hosabole said the matter was pending before the Supreme court and the Government would do whatever was stated in the BJP in its manifesto.
“There is still time for what the BJP committed in its manifesto. Sants and Hindu society keep giving directions in this regard, but Sangh does not raise any demand. We are hopeful that it will happen. We will wait for their implementation according to their timetable,” he said.
