RSS Member claims overconfident BJP leaders received reality check in 2024 elections
New Delhi: The recent Lok Sabha elections of 2024 have resulted in introspection within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ranks, with a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) highlighting a reality check for overconfident party leaders. In an article published in the RSS mouthpiece, concerns were raised about the lack of decorum during the election campaign.
Ratan Sharda, an author and RSS member criticized a disconnect between the leaders and the ground realities, suggesting they were "happy in their bubble" and not attuned to public sentiment.
The article was published a day after Modi took oath as the prime minister for the third time along with a 71-member Council of Ministers.
The BJP, although retaining power, witnessed a significant decrease in its Lok Sabha seat tally compared to the 2019 elections. This shortfall, Sharda argued, necessitates a reassessment of strategies and a more inclusive approach towards ideological allies.
Sharda's analysis also delved into specific state dynamics, particularly criticizing the BJP's maneuvers in Maharashtra, where alliances and candidate selections allegedly led to electoral setbacks.
“NCP faction led by [Deputy Chief Minister] Ajit Pawar joined BJP though BJP and split SS [Shiv Sena] had a comfortable majority,” the RSS member said. He said this “ill-advised” step hurt BJP supporters as they had fought against the Congress’s ideology for years.
Furthermore, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat echoed these concerns, emphasizing the erosion of decorum and the exacerbation of social divisions during the election campaign.
“The kind of things that were said, the way the two sides castigated each other (during the elections)… the way no one cared about social divisions being created because of what was being done… and for no reason the Sangh was dragged into this…How will the country operate like this?” he asked while addressing a gathering of RSS leaders and workers in Nagpur.
Bhagwat said that a true sevak, or one who serves the people, does not have arrogance and does not cause hurt to others.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
