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.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
