The BJP is a creation of the RSS, the cadre-backed Hindu-supremacist body whose networks played a key role in the saffron party’s spectacular win in northern India, especially Uttar Pradesh, in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. And yet, several outfits associated with this parent body of the Hindutva grouping have spoken out against the controversial land acquisition policy of the Narendra Modi government.
The opposition has come at a time when the government is under attack from the Congress and other parties on former cricket administrator Lalit Modi’s dealings with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje. The RSS has chosen not to hold fire.
The Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Bharatiya Kisan Manch, while making their presentation to a joint parliamentary panel, expressed their strong opposition to the measure which facilitates the acquisition of farmlands for industrial use. The PM is personally identified with it. Ordinances have been re-issued twice over to keep the proposed bill in play. RSS affiliates have criticised the government for dropping the consent and social impact assessment clauses, which were also the focal point of Congress’ concerns.
The RSS is offering the BJP-led government a reality check. It does not wish to get alienated from the majority “Hindu” opinion, as it were, on the sensitive issue of farmers’ lands. But any backtracking by the government can also bring on other problems.
