Narendra Modi silent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh issues an appeal for peace in Manipur

The RSS has issued an appeal for peace in Manipur, bringing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence into sharper focus and prompting the Congress to wonder whether the government has outsourced its responsibility to the ruling party’s parent organisation.

Modi has not even tweeted on Manipur, or given time so far to a political delegation from the state. Nor did he refer to Manipur in his radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, further strengthening the perception that he consciously avoids speaking on subjects unpalatable to him even if these are burning national issues.

Although leaders from Manipur and the Congress criticised the Prime Minister for not mentioning Manipur in his monthly radio broadcast, what has set political circles abuzz is the RSS intervention.

The Sangh’s appeal for peace has encouraged conspiracy theorists to speculate whether the RSS leadership might be deliberately highlighting the abdication of duty by the Prime Minister.

“We are curious, is the RSS sending a subtle message to Modi about the need to articulate his concerns on Manipur? After all, the scale of violence is mind-boggling,” a Congress leader told The Telegraph.

“We don’t know what compelled the RSS to speak up when the BJP and the Prime Minister are silent. Look at the BJP’s Twitter handle and you ‘realise’ that nothing is happening in Manipur. Videos show Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda campaigning in Punjab and Assam.”

Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh tweeted: “The RSS has finally issued a public appeal for peace and harmony in Manipur after 45 days of unending violence. The RSS’s well-known duplicity is in full display as its divisive ideology and polarising activities is changing the very nature of a diverse North-East, of which Manipur is one tragic example.”

Ramesh added: “But what of its much-celebrated former Pracharak, who now controls the administrative machinery at the Centre and in the state? Has he outsourced the public appeal to the organisation that moulded him? When will Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, say something, do something on Manipur? Is he only a Prachar Mantri and not Pradhan Mantri?”

The violence in Manipur has left more than 110 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.

After the Mann Ki Baat broadcast in the afternoon, Ramesh had said: “So one more Mann ki Baat but Maun on Manipur.”

Ramesh added: “The Prime Minister patted himself on the back for India’s great capabilities in disaster management. What about the entirely manmade (actually self-inflicted) humanitarian disaster that is confronting Manipur?

“Still no appeal for peace from him. There is a non-auditable PM-CARES Fundbut does the PM even care for Manipur is the real question.”

The RSS appeal, issued by senior office-bearer Dattatreya Hosabale (Sarkaryavah), said: “The continuous violence that is going on in Manipur for the last 45 days is extremely worrisome. The violence and uncertainty that started in Manipur after the protest rally organised in Churachandpur on May 03, 2023 at the time of Lai Haraoba festival is to be condemned.

“It is very unfortunate that the spate of unrest and violence that erupted afterwards among those who have been living a peaceful life with mutual harmony and cooperation for centuries has not yet stopped.”

Hosabale added: “The Sangh appeals to the government, including local administration, police, military and the central agencies, to take every possible step to immediately stop this painful violence, ensure the seamless supply of relief materials among the displaced along with necessary actions to maintain peace and harmony.

“The RSS also appeals to the entire civil society, political groups of Manipur and common people to take every possible initiative to put an end to the present chaotic and violent situation and also, ensure safety of human life and permanent peace in the state of Manipur.”

He went on: “The RSS stands with the displaced persons and other victims of the Manipur crisis numbering more than 50,000 during this period of terrible grief. RSS is of the considered opinion that there is no place for violence and hatred in a democratic setup, and also believes that the solution (to) any problem is possible only through mutual dialogue and expression of brotherhood in a peaceful atmosphere.

“RSS appeals (to) everyone to overcome the deficit of trust among each other which is the cause of the present crisis. It requires comprehensive efforts from both communities.”

Hosabale argued that the crisis could be resolved by simultaneously addressing the sense of insecurity and helplessness among the Meiteis and the genuine concerns of the Kukis