Ex-prez’s tightrope walk that wasn’t
The entry of RSS into mainstream politics in India, using the window created by JP movement is part of history now. RSS was tainted with the accusations of having killed Gandhi. This organization was banned and rejected by people, for not having participated in the freedom movement and subsequently having killed the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. But the same RSS used the phase of emergency very effectively to stage a comeback into the mainstream politics. It’s rather a joke that RSS and Hindu Mahasabha that rests on the dictatorial mode of functioning working on the Hindutva agenda alone, would unite against ‘emergency’ imposed by Indira Gandhi. If leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan had any vision and maintained distance from RSS, the organization would not have been part of mainstream politics now. Owing to JP’s ‘mistake’, RSS has spread in the country like a creeper and the country is paying a price for the soft approach some leaders adapted towards this organisation.
Now, the discussion is raging on the appropriateness of former President Pranab Mukherjee’s participation in RSS event. Some argue this upholds his ‘soft hindutva’ approach that he nurses as a Brahmin. But there are others who believe he gave some strong messages to the organization through his speech emphasizing on tolerance and plurality of the country.
A prominent member of Congress, former Prime Minister who was a Brahmin too P V Narasimha Rao contributed to the growth of RSS by silently concurring the razing of Babri Masjid during his tenure. Now Congress is trying to save face saying Pranab Mukherjee made some very strong points about the strength of this nation, democracy and constitution in his speech at the RSS HQ. Mukherjee’s daughter condemned his decision to be at RSS Hq in the strongest of her words.
Pranab Mukherjee is someone who has maintained his distance from the core values of Congress. He is his own man most times. Though he enjoyed every benefit of office Congress offered to him in terms of plum posts, he always nursed some sort of a silent animosity towards the party that never made him the Prime Minister. He is also a deeply religious person, owing to his Bengali Brahmin roots. He would make regular visits to Tirupati temple even when he was in the office of the President, giving ample opportunity for the media to cover his visits. A person in high office can be religious for sure but then he should not act in a way that puts a question on his religious leanings while in public office. But Pranab Mukherjee would do this more often than not. And it is evident that even BJP nurses soft approach towards him. Now, Mukherjee thinks it is an honour that has been bestowed upon him that RSS invited him to speak at their HQ.
The question here is not whether one should or not participate in the events of a particular organization that has views that are contrary to the one his party holds. The whole issue here is about the invitee organization holding ideals that are totally against the spirit of democracy and constitution of this country. It is no secret what RSS has never accepted this country’s democracy. The founder RSS Hedgewar never approved of secular India and has rejected the Indian flag as categorically as possible. He wanted India to be a ‘Hindu nation’. RSS stands in the position of ‘accused’ in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. In the recent communal clashes and blasts that were staged in some parts of the country, RSS Chief Indresh Kumar’s name had figured. With all this, Pranab Mukherjee as an astute statesman and former President of India, had a bounden duty to understand the implications of his acceptance. This was not a public programme organized by RSS but a closed event only for its significant members. They already have Golwalkar occupying every bit of their ideology. They want to reject the democracy, change it and turn the country into a Hindu nation. The organization invited Mukherjee in full awareness of what he would address when he speaks here. And looks like Mukherjee was totally fine with the fact. Congress is celebrating his speech stating he celebrated tolerance and plurality in his speech. Mukherjee has also heaped praised on Hedgewar during his speech, despite knowing his opinions about democracy and Indian flag. This was an unnecessary tightrope walk Mukherjee has risked. He wants to be relevant to both sides, and a hero at that. Looks like he silently approves of this whole plot of getting acceptance for Hedgewar. He has joined hands with anti-Democracy forces. With this, he has further damaged the prospects of Congress in the country.
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Axar shifts focus to next IPL after KKR all but end DC's campaign
New Delhi (PTI): A beleaguered Axar Patel admitted that both his team's batters and bowlers let the side down after Delhi Capitals suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, virtually ending their IPL 2026 playoff hopes, while indicating the team had already begun looking ahead to the next season.
DC endured a miserable outing at home, managing only 142/8, which Kolkata Knight Riders chased down in just 14.2 overs, powered by a blistering unbeaten 100 from Finn Allen and his destructive stand with Cameron Green (33 not out) as the visitors tore apart the bowling attack.
With just eight points from 11 matches, DC are eighth on the table, while KKR revived their playoff hopes with a resurgent run, moving to seventh with nine points from 10 outings, though their road to the knockouts still remains difficult.
"For now, we'll go back and think about the mistakes we made. After that, obviously there's still a long journey ahead and next year will come too. So we'll think about what plans we can make for next year and what approach we should take," said Axar after the match.
"Based on that, we can also look at the players sitting on the bench and decide who can be given opportunities and what changes we can make," he added, hinting at a possible major overhaul next season.
With 200-plus totals becoming the norm this season, 142 was always going to be inadequate, and Axar admitted the score was well below par while also pointing out at poor judgement shown by the spinners while defending the modest total.
"I think the runs were definitely below par and at the same time the spinners made quite a few mistakes. Looking at the way the pitch behaved, I feel the spinners did make errors.
"At the same time, we lost five wickets in two-three overs, and I think that's where the momentum slipped away from us. That's probably something we need to think about because the same thing happened against CSK...we started well, and then suddenly wickets kept falling," he added.
He admitted the solutions to the issues could be found but players need to show the right mindset and character.
"See, you can't solve it in a complicated way. So, I think it's more about applying the right mindset. Even if you lose one or two wickets, you can still spend time at the crease and play through it. I think that's what needs to be applied, when wickets are falling in clusters, you need to absorb the pressure for an over or two," opined Axar.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was pleased to see a struggling Finn Allen finally rediscover his touch with the bat.
"I'm really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling first four or five games, working really hard, but the way he batted tonight was fantastic. But I want to praise our bowlers again.
"We did well because of them. And they've been doing it so well consistently, especially those middle overs and the death overs. Our spinners, Sunil Narine, Varun (Chakravarthy) and Anukul Roy, have been fantastic," he said.
"Fielding-wise, yes, we are working really hard. Our fielding coach has been really strict with us. And that's what has been helping us. The result which you've been seeing about the catches and the ground fielding, credit goes to our fielding coach as well," he added.
