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NEW DELHI: India’s rightwing Hindu Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has nudged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to negotiate with Pakistan, saying “its people were civilisational part of India”, according to reports on Saturday.
At the end of a three-day coordination meeting of all affiliated organisations on Friday, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the RSS said the government was “working in the right direction”, but a lot of work still needed to be done.
“India is part of Saarc and has family-like cultural relations with neighbouring countries, whether it is Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh. It was one body, which was divided to form Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is natural that people living there are part of the same family,” Dattatreya Hosabale, joint general secretary of the RSS, told reporters.
“Sometimes relations (go bad), like it happens between brothers and so we also discussed how we can improve our relations with those who are historically and geographically attached to us,” he added.
This was the first such coordination meeting in the past year between BJP leaders and members of the RSS, its ideological parent.
A similar meeting was organised in Ludhiana, Punjab, last year.
In reply to a question on whether India should continue attempting to have good relations with Pakistan even in the face of continued attacks on the border, Mr Hosabale said: “Even Kauravas and Pandavas (in the epic battle of Mahabharata) were brothers. One has to do everything (for better relations).”
The RSS also insisted that it was “not an illegal organisation” and the meeting was only a platform to discuss issues.
“We are not upset about anything. Fourteen months have passed... and a lot of work (needs) to be done. The direction is good, achievements are good and they will go ahead. One cannot have 100 per cent satisfaction with everything, but all that has happened...the direction is right, the dedication is right, commitment is right and with that point of view we are saying that this government will go ahead. This is our input, but not our review,” Mr Hosabale clarified.
Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2015
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Comments (39) Closed
Sep 06, 2015 07:41am
RSS supports talks with Pakistan...? Am I blind or did I just read that?
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Sep 06, 2015 07:43am
RSS is the most nationalist organization I have ever seen. It is not like Congress and other parties which want a war with Pakistan for their own power and votes. Jai RSS, Jai Hind.
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Sep 06, 2015 07:44am
Well they are the answer to Christian missionaries in India.
See their work in tribal areas ,school hospital,social work. They are changing their world for better.
They are religious organizations no doubt ,but most of their leader are very well qualified and working for uplifting weaker.
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Sep 06, 2015 07:49am
A sensible signal. should be acted upon and received in good faith by all parties.
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Sep 06, 2015 07:50am
A positive step in the right direction for both Pakistan and India. War has never been a solution to any problems and disagreements, it is disastrous.
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Sep 06, 2015 07:55am
What a beautiful and graceful message. Indeed, we have same people. We are members of same family. If we can't solve issues which are ours no one will come to resolve them. Loss of life of poor and suffering of innocent villagers and farmers have nothing to do with it.
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Sep 06, 2015 07:56am
First of all, RSS is not a Hindu organizat, its a nationalist organization. Secondly, its not a political party and doesn't have any say in national policies.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:06am
This is really a wonderful thinking and move. All stakeholders should take it positively and we all must appreciate it. The subcontinent needs progress and prosperity for all of its people and that can only be achieved by peace and mutual cooperation.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:08am
RSS is true to the people of the Indian subcontinent and believes that even if we are in different nations/religions we belong to the same culture.
Thank you Dawn for representing RSS correctly.
Corrupt and divisive Indian media continues to misrepresent RSS/Hindus and create divide and conquer politics.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:09am
A positive step indeed!
Communication is key to solving problems.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:10am
This is the benefit of having an extremist party at the helm of affairs. They will either choose complete peace or all out war with Pakistan, there is no middle path with RSS. And it is true that Pakistanis have not come from a different region they share a common heritage with India which cannot be ignored. Peace has infinite benefits for both sides, we cannot be enemies forever, the madness has to stop.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:19am
It appears that some outside forces are pressuring Modi and RSS to take a deep breath and play nice ... perhaps some foreign corporate arm twisting?
It's no secret the RSS is an extremely militant organization which steers Modi's domestic and foreign policy agenda, so Pakistan needs to take such
sugar coated messages by RSS with a huge grain of salt.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:41am
This is quite big and I am sure every Pakistani and Indian will support peace rather than all the war rhetoric.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:52am
Rational thinking.
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Sep 06, 2015 08:59am
Truely
I support good relation with our pakistani brothers
To me they are just like north indians punjabis
How long can we have bad relation with them and have others to take advantage of our relations
On this day I want peace with them
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Sep 06, 2015 09:03am
I agree, we are supposed to fighting against poverty, hunger and corruption.
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Sep 06, 2015 09:03am
Although I am not supporter of RSS, I see a lot of misconception about RSS among crowd. It also many times mistaken as a religious organization. At times I may or may not agree with their views, but I must admit that it's a nationalist organization. Congress did a very good job of maligning it.
In many cities and villages they encourage youth and kids to stay fit and be a good citizen. This keeps them away from bad habits, addictions, etc. That's what I heard from many across country.
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Sep 06, 2015 09:10am
RSS is right. Pakistanis are our brothers. Forget the past and build a new bright future for our children. I have some best friends from Pak and I trust them more than I trust any of my Indian friends.
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Sep 06, 2015 09:41am
A very commendable gesture by our Indian fellows. Pakistan must reciprocate accordingly and we Pakistanis too want to have cordial relations with our neighbours. On this important day every one from the subcontinent should pledge to shun hatred and promote peace. I propose Pak India and Bengladesh form a body to promote trade and peace in the region.
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Sep 06, 2015 09:42am
If RSS can show flexibility why not conservatives from Pakistan.
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Sep 06, 2015 09:50am
But they forgot to talk about Kashmir.I am sure their views on Kashmir would not acceptable by Pakistan.
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Sep 06, 2015 10:35am
After a long time reading a news which is good for the region and poor people who are living in this part of the world. What will be the ultimate output of WAR not other than civilian causalities, more poverty. more hate, more dependence on West. So its better to settle the disputes through dialogue. Lets agree that for next one decade both countries will not buy any weapon, will not spend a single penny on weapons except maintenance of what both countries have already and lets spend this money on Education, Health, job creation and charitable projects within the subcontinent.
Give people religious independence and let them decide what they want. Let Religion itself convince people with its ideology/ acts of followers not on gun point... We can connect with Central ASIA and EUROPE though ROAD and SEA , We can produce low cost products, low cost Technicians for the entire world. Lets beat the hate and anger and work positively to benefit ourselves and the entire world....
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Sep 06, 2015 10:45am
Indian PM needs RSS approval for all matters relating to Pakstan. What a day in Indian democracy and the Indian PM authority.
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Sep 06, 2015 11:27am
If this message comes from India, I am all for a long term friendship, even sort of confederation with India. A region that competes in the positives and not negatives or killings. Unfortunately this is the only positive I have seen coming from across the border.
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Sep 06, 2015 12:48pm
I am for the regional trade between Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan,India and China. All the countries should have improved rail and road links and ease up of movements of people and goods between the regional countries. This will bring a change in the lives of people and will help to end tension in the entire region.
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Sep 06, 2015 02:02pm
@Dr Ahmad - Melbourne In above article, RSS clarified, it is an input, not a review. Please do not read selectively.
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Sep 06, 2015 02:44pm
“Sometimes relations (go bad), like it happens between brothers and so we also discussed how we can improve our relations with those who are historically and geographically attached to us,” well said.
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Sep 06, 2015 04:47pm
@Kuber Karol - It looks like not just you, a lot like you love RSS - going by the recommendations. Good luck!
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Sep 06, 2015 09:24pm
Actually, all the countries of our region should fight against poverty and illiteracy. These are our common enemies. Mr. Modi has the quality to uplift the quality of life of his people.
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Sep 06, 2015 10:08pm
Good gesture of love with Pakistan by RSS for supporting dialogue for India . Both the countries come on table and try to solve pending issues for prosperity of people .
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Sep 07, 2015 04:45am
Good gesture from RSS.
No doubt there is so much common between the two people that becoming friends could bring a tremendous peace and economic uplift in the region.
Deep down in our heart we all want the current impasse to change.However since so much has gone wrong since partition some minimum steps are necessary.Kashmir has been the main hurdle with both sides maintaining a rigid stance. On the other hand it is not difficult to turn this region into something like the European Union with border lines becoming irrelevant in due course. That requires courage to initiate some minimum steps with one of several options to go along: one such possibility could be to let both Kashmirs to run their affairs jointly in an autonomous way while India and Pakistan jointly running Defence,foreign policy and currency affairs. Over a period of time it won't matter who owns what as the region turns into something like SA Union economy with free cross- border traffic. A Win win position for both.
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Sep 07, 2015 04:54am
I am not an RSS supporter but I know its a nationalist party and I had actually met some muslim members of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
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Sep 07, 2015 05:09am
Cant believe these words coming from RSS. Prove these sentiments by deeds starting from visits by divided families. Senior citizens above seventy years be issued visa on simple letter from relations in two countries( no need of affidavit, attestation by senior government officer and time consuming inquiry at the two embassies) for other members of families and friends Sponsors letter be attested by government school , college and university teachers and also Municipal Councillors. As per present requirement sponsors letter has to be attested by very senior government officers. Most of the Muslims in India can not approach such officers beside reluctance of officers. Real difference will come when people of the two countries are given tourist visas freely.
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Sep 07, 2015 08:56am
@DR. SHAZIA RSS is not a millitant organisation and it never was... Either you dont know about RSS or you know false things about RSS
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Sep 07, 2015 09:43am
@gul zaman My sister got married to a Punjabi family and we are from Kerala.
Her husbands family has relatives in Pakistan and more commonalities with Pakistan than with us inspite of us being Indians.
When I went for a marriage of a friend in Lucknow, I found almost 30% guests were from Karachi. Being curious I searched on google- I saw few interesting videos that claim that few Pakistanis think that Pakistan has an Arab lineage! Then I read in dawn about a historian saying that history books are distorted to claim Pakistans middle eastern and central asian lineage which was completely flawed.
I wish I could visit Pakistan and I know for sure Visa will be the biggest problem.
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Sep 07, 2015 10:55am
@Dr Ahmad - Melbourne Great joke! Your sense of humour is great!
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Sep 07, 2015 11:36am
@Mazhar Iqbal These are exactly my thoughts. Thanks for expressing them so wonderfully.
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Sep 07, 2015 11:36am
If this message is indeed true, Pakistan will bend over backwards to reciprocate - but let us see the evidence of good faith - perhaps the start of cricketing ties between the two countries?
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Sep 08, 2015 10:45am
After a long time some thing like this has appeared in the presss. It is like fresh air with sweet fragrance of jasmine.
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