CC January 1999

January 1999
Saffron Watch

Will Indo–Pak series wreck saffron coalition?
When they called cricket a game full of uncertainties none could have implied a connection between the ‘gentlemen’s game’ and the murky world of politics. But as we go to press, it seems that the Indo–Pak series scheduled to begin later this month is destined to create history for cricket as much as for politics. While the BJP–led government at the Centre is committed to seeing the series through to the last ball, the supremo of the Shiv Sena, its coalition partner, has issued a firman that it is the ‘patriotic duty’ of his sainiks to disrupt the match at any cost. Only last month, Bal Thackeray had first opposed the proposed series and then backtracked when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee insisted that the game must be played. The supremo evidently has given the matter fresh thought and decided that ‘patriotism’ must come before coalition politics.

The first heroic deed was performed at the Firozshah Kotla stadium — earlier proposed as the venue for the first Test match — with sainiks digging up the cricket pitch. "This is true patriotism," said Thackeray while ‘thanking’ his boys. The BJP ‘deplored’ the incident without making any reference to Thackeray and announced the constitution of a ‘Central Security Liaison Committee’ to make and monitor all necessary security arrangements for the tour.

Not to be so easily out–smarted, the Sena proceeded to threaten the Pakistani diplomats in the country. A letter left at the gates of the Pakistani High Commission warned that sainiks would "harm Pakistani diplomats if the tour progressed as scheduled". When Vajpayee tried to persuade Thackeray to call off his ‘ban’, the supremo raised the stakes, extending the ban to the coming Indo–Pak hockey tournament, too. The Sena’s threat to disrupt any Indo–Pak sporting event until Pakistan stopped supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir also served to put off an Indo-Pak golf tournament in Mumbai.

On January 15, a delegation of prominent Indian sports persons met Vajpayee, condemned the Sena’s threats and urged the Prime Minister to speak to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and reiterate his government’s unequivocal position over the holding of the tour, in order to instil confidence in the sports–loving public of Pakistan.

Next, Vajpayee bowled a bouncer to Thackeray: "Raat ke andhere mein pitch khodne mein kya bahaduri hai? (What is the bravery in digging up pitches in the middle of the night?) If you want to show your bravery and fight terrorism, go to the border and face the bullets like our soldiers are doing." Refusing to duck the delivery, Thackeray retorted with: "Provide ultra–modern weapons, sainiks are ready to fight on the border."

The weekly Organiser, the RSS mouthpiece, has also stepped in with advice to Vajpayee to call off the series. With serious differences having surfaced between the Sena and the BJP over several issues in recent months, the score, it appears, is going to be settled on the cricket pitch. And none could be enjoying the scenario more than the Pakistani government, whose representatives have announced they are satisfied with the security measures and the Pakistani team is willing to play ball.

Back to hard–core Hindutva
The drubbing the BJP received in the recent assembly polls in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh has evidently led the top brass of the saffron brigade to the conclusion that the sangh parivar must revert to its earlier hard–line approach. Unhappy with their own prime minister, the patriarchs of the parivar have reportedly decided to neither help nor hinder the running of the Vajpayee government. They expect the government to buckle within a year without active support from the its cadres. Reportedly, it was resolved at the recently concluded conclave of the RSS in Nagpur that in the next round of general elections, Vajpayee will not be their candidate for the prime minister’s post. In the interim period, the RSS high command has decided to closely co–ordinate the activities of its various front organisations to ensure "more substantial gains in the future". To minimise apparent differences between the BJP and other contingents of the parivar, the BJP, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal have been directed to ensure that their public postures follow a similar line and do not conflict with each other. Political pundits say it is because of this that the RSS, VHP and BJP leaders have issued almost identical statements on the issue of the attacks on Christian missionaries. Not surprisingly, too, the BJP has ruled out the possibility of any ban on the VHP or Bajrang Dal for their attacks on Christians, though Vajpayee condemned their anti-Christian statements.

Attacks on Christians screen for CIA activities to continue!
First it was Amartya Sen’s fault, now it’s the CIA! The VHP has alleged that since the CIA could not get information at the time of the nuclear tests, they have since pumped millions of dollars into the country to assist missionary activities and establish an intelligence network in the country. The attacks against the Christians that had first been called a ‘retaliation by the com

mon Gujarati locals, against the anti–national activities of the missionaries’, is now understood to be ‘a well–planned conspiracy against the VHP’. However, they were careful to disown the Hindu Jagran Manch, the party accused for several attacks and denied it was an off-shoot of the VHP and Bajrang Dal.

North–east, here we come
In its attempts to save Hinduism and Indian tradition, the VHP has moved towards the north-east. A programme to preach "Sanatan Hindu values" has been initiated to counter the "large scale conversions of tribals", especially in Tripura’s hilly areas, by "foreign missionary units", who were "taking advantage of the hill people’s poverty and innocence." Already 26 schools have been set up to "educate children about the country’s traditional values and practices". More such schools are on the card; by May 1999, the VHP plans to raise a total of 550 trained volunteers on a salary basis for "community services".

‘Tipu was anti–Hindu.’ But, never mind for now!
Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, who was so far remembered for his secular credentials, has become the latest target for the Hindutva parties in Karnataka. The state is to organise a year long commemoration, scheduled to commence in March, for the 200th anniversary of his martyrdom, including seminars on Tipu’s rule, to highlight both his secular credentials and his efficient military policies, which made him one of the most feared adversaries of the British. A 170–km. peace march to highlight his achievements and to demand upholding of secular values in the country is also part of the commemoration plans.

But in the first week of January, the VHP, declared its intention to distribute lakhs of pamphlets all over Karnataka and Kerala and to hold black–flag demonstrations during the bi–centenary celebrations. According to the VHP, Tipu’s was an "anti–Hindu form of government". Tipu, according to Bajrang Dal activists, had forcibly converted many Hindus to Islam and the latest saffron campaign was to "create awareness among the public of the atrocities committed by Tipu Sultan on Hindus".

The VHP claimed its campaign would be "peaceful". But when asked at a press conference whether he was concerned that the material they would distribute may trigger off an emotional response, VHP organising secretary, Keshavamurthy declared, "We want them to be emotional".

However, due to growing opposition to their plans from leading historians and intellectuals in the city, and a public interest litigation filed against the party for disrupting communal harmony; coupled with the BJP’s disapproval of their plans, the VHP appears to have had second thoughts on the campaign. The state secretary, B.N. Murthy, said, "I am not aware of any such programme." He added, "The VHP is not interested in precipitating any issue which will unnecessarily become cause of anxiety to the society and the nation."

Sharada Peeth next for ‘liberation’
If not Babri, Chikmagalur or Kashi, why not Sharada Peeth! The VHP is mobilising several hard–line BJP MPs to visit Sharada Peeth, a temple in Pakistan–occupied Kashmir (PoK), as part of a campaign to stake a claim to it. Part of the campaign is to launch a countrywide signature campaign for "Sharada Teerth Mukti" (Liberation of Sharada temple), and send a memorandum to the United Nations to focus its attention on Pakistan.

The ‘liberation’ plans will be finalised at a three–day meet of the VHP-inspired Dharma Sansad of Hindu sants, to be held in Ahmedabad from February 5. The VHP must consider that to be a fitting ‘touché’ to Pakistan, for having criticised the Indian government for the attacks on Christians. "Moreover", said VHP sources referring to the Parliament resolution on liberation of PoK passed unanimously on February 22, 1994, "the issue will not embarrass the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, but could strengthen him politically".

Delhi–Lahore bus has a long way to go
The Delhi–Lahore bus has a longer way to go than the 650 kms. that separate the two cities. From the Indian side a busload of officials completed the first dry run to Lahore, on January 8. The bus soon brought a 19-member Pakistani team back from Lahore to Delhi on January 14. Indian officials gave the team a rousing welcome, but the Shiv Sena promptly reiterated its stand that it would not allow "any regular bus services between India and Pakistan until the latter stops aiding and abetting terrorist activities in the country." It would resort to "all possible means", including violence, to stop the bus services, it added.

Ironically, the Jamaat–e–Islami, Pakistan also opposed the bus and held a black flag demonstration against the bus in Lahore.They declared the bus would "send a message to Kashmiri freedom fighters that Islamabad will not support them." They also said the bus was "part of an American agenda" and threatened that an attempt at a second bus trip would be stopped "by force".

However, government officials on both sides seem determined to make the project work. Pakistan’s tourism development corporation manager, Imtiaz Sayed, said the bus could be the first step towards reviving "old cultural and social links between the two countries".