From Golden Age to Varna Age
VB Editorial | August 16, 2025 |
From the Red Fort this Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again spoke of his “resolve for a prosperous, self-reliant India.” It was his 12th consecutive speech from the same stage, a record surpassing Indira Gandhi. Yet, what stood out was not the record itself but the hollowness of repetition. The Prime Minister himself admitted that speeches cannot build a nation — and yet, a decade later, the difference between his first address in 2014 and his words in 2025 is hard to find.
Ten years ago, the country placed its faith in Modi’s promises. The hope was that India’s fortunes would change. But what is the reality? Economically, India has slipped. GST has shackled businesses, and now reforms in GST are being portrayed as a gift, not an apology. Operation Sindhoor is being advertised as a security success even as the Pahalgam attack exposed glaring failures. NITI Aayog’s own chief has said the current 6.5% growth rate cannot make India a developed nation.
Meanwhile, hunger, unemployment, and atrocities against Dalits are rising. The Global Hunger Index shows India slipping further. Violence in the name of religion is becoming common. Mobs lynch innocent people in the name of cows. On the 79th Independence Day, many states attempted to impose bans on meat. The irony is staggering: India is one of the world’s largest beef exporters, yet its poor are denied nutritious food. Farmers cannot sell cattle they rear, while their livelihoods are destroyed. Violence continues in Manipur. Militancy festers in Kashmir.
Even democracy is under question. Reports of electoral fraud are emerging across states. In Bihar, voter roll manipulation by the Election Commission has been widely exposed. The Supreme Court itself has raised concern. Yet, the Prime Minister remained silent on all of this in his Red Fort address.
Instead, he chose to celebrate the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it “the largest non-governmental organisation engaged in nation-building.” This single declaration reveals much. For the RSS, there is no history of fighting for farmers, Dalits, workers, or women. Its seniors did not join the freedom struggle. Savarkar, fearing Kala Pani, wrote mercy petitions to the British and lived on their pension. When Netaji called on the youth to join his army, Savarkar advised them against it.
M.S. Golwalkar, the ideological architect of the RSS, upheld the caste system and rejected the Constitution. For decades, RSS offices did not hoist the national flag. When young nationalists hoisted it at the Nagpur headquarters in 2001, they were dragged into court cases for 12 years. Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin, drew inspiration from RSS ideology. Sardar Patel himself banned the RSS for conspiring against the nation. Its name has come up in cases from Malegaon to present-day extremist violence. Abroad too, demands for action against its affiliates continue.
The government that has crushed countless NGOs working for the environment, farmers, Adivasis, and Dalits now expresses pride in the RSS. What future does this signal? An India shaped by RSS ideology means an India shaped by Manusmriti — where caste hierarchy, Brahminical dominance, and untouchability would once again define society.
This is the exact opposite of what Ambedkar envisioned. He dreamed of a golden age built on equality. Instead, the government is pushing India towards a Varna Age rooted in inequality. To ignore the RSS’s finances and its unconstitutional activities, while glorifying it from the Red Fort, is not just an error of judgment — it is a dangerous shift in the nation’s direction.
That is why this year’s Independence Day speech has left many Indians anxious. From the dream of equality, India seems to be slipping into an age of division. From the Golden Age to the Varna Age — this is the worry staring the nation in the face.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Husband has to equally participate in household chores as he is not marrying a maid: SC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday said a husband has to equally participate in household chores like cooking, cleaning and washing as he is not marrying a maid but a life partner.
The observations came from a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta which was hearing a petition filed by a man challenging an order of the Karnataka High Court.
The high court had set aside a trial court order granting divorce to the man on the ground of cruelty.
During the hearing before the apex court, the counsel appearing for the man said the mediation between the parties had failed.
He said the marriage between the parties took place in May 2017 and since 2019, the couple is separated.
ALSO READ: Four held for throwing non-veg food leftovers near temple
"I (man) want a divorce. The trial court granted a divorce on the ground of cruelty," the counsel said.
The bench asked what the cruelty was as alleged in the matter.
The counsel appearing for the man said the woman had indulged in improper behaviour and was not cooking food.
"You have to equally participate in all these. Cooking, cleaning, washing, everything. Today's times are different," Justice Nath observed, adding the high court was right that it might not be a ground for cruelty.
"You are not marrying a maid. You are marrying a life partner," Justice Mehta observed.
The bench was told that both of them were working in a government school.
"Call both parties physically. We would like to speak to them," the bench said.
It posted the matter for hearing on April 27 and asked both parties to remain present before it.
