Dangerous alliances: Dr. Shamsul Islam's startling insights on Modi, RSS, and Hindutva
In this illuminating interview, Dr. Shamsul Islam, a distinguished retired professor of Political Science from Delhi University, boldly and unreservedly explores the intricate history and contemporary resurgence of Hindutva and fascist forces in India. His unwavering commitment to shedding light on critical issues shines throughout this conversation, making it a compelling exploration of the country's political landscape.
Dr. Islam's profound insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the rise of Hindutva, placing it within its historical context. As we grapple with the current state of political affairs in the nation, his perspectives offer a crucial viewpoint on the ideologies that shape India's trajectory.
This interview captures Dr. Islam's fearless stance against religious bigotry, dehumanization, and totalitarianism. It unveils his thought-provoking analysis of the challenges confronting India today, providing essential context for comprehending the country's evolving political landscape.
Engaging with Vartha Bharati's Ismail Zaorez, Dr. Islam dissects the roots and ramifications of these ideological forces, delivering valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of Indian politics. This interview is a potent exploration of the forces that have shaped and continue to influence India's political narrative.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
VB: How do you view the current political landscape in India, particularly in the context of the rising influence of right-wing groups?
Shamsul Islam: Our nation is facing a dire situation, whether we consider it from economic, political, social, or cultural perspectives. Across various global indexes, including poverty rates, childbirth and women's health, unemployment, freedom of speech, and safety for journalists and women, we find ourselves consistently at the bottom. In some indexes, like the hunger index, we even hold the lowest position.
Recently, Delhi hosted the G20 summit [September 9-10, 2023], which, instead of addressing these pressing issues, seemed more like an attempt to divert attention from the deep-seated problems within our beloved Bharat Mata, our homeland. It's astounding to note that over 500 luxury cars, each worth staggering one lakh rupees per day, descended upon our city for this event. These cars boast of features like automated doors and in-car massages.
Furthermore, in the NCR region which includes Noida and Gurgaon all high-end 7-star, 8-star, hotels were fully booked for the occasion. The entire Capital of India came to a standstill as all government offices, semi-government institutions, and private establishments were asked to close for three days. This spectacle eerily mirrors past times when the nation paused, either in mourning for a monarch's passing or in celebration of a royal wedding.
It's ironic that these events coincided with India's 75th year of independence, 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.' It was a gala meet to discuss the economic and climatic devastation faced by the G-20 countries where the most marginalized have been the worst sufferers but it was a merry-making time. PM Modi led discussions were aimed to serve the vested interests of the Corporate World.
VB: What are your views on the recent planks of the establishment such as - One Nation One Election, UCC, and Naming India as Bharat etc.?
Shamsul Islam: Our listeners and viewers are likely familiar with the ongoing debates, and this isn't a sudden revelation for an informed audience. It is part of Hindutva project unleashed by the RSS-BJP rulers. So, what exactly is Hindutva? It can be seen as a form of 'Brahminvad,' though it's important to note that it doesn't pertain to Brahmins as individuals. Instead, 'Brahminvad' is an idea that involves governing people through divisions, while claiming that it is for the people, by the people and of the people. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar famously pointed out how 'Brahminvad' was nothing else but dividing and further dividing people so that hegemony of a tiny section is maintained. Even Mughal kings used Brahminism as a powerful tool to keep their subjects subjugated with the help of Hindu higher Castes. The British colonial masters were no different.
There's a streak of dictatorship is inherent in 'Brahminvad' which is described as Hindutva by RSS. It was in 1940 itself that the most prominent ideologue of RSS, Guru MS Golwalkar who also happened to be the 2nd Supremo of RSS while addressing the 1350 top level cadres of RSS at its Resham Bagh headquarters unabashedly that RSS was lighting the flame of Hindutva under one leader and one ideology. The renowned Indian thinker, Professor Ramachandra Guha described Golwalkar as 'Guru of Hate'. The One nation, one law, one election and one civil code projects are the continuation of this old tested formula of the rulers.
Mohan Bhagwat leads the RSS, effectively controlling the government. If the RSS dictates the rule, why isn't Mohan Bhagwat the Prime Minister? Why is Narendra Modi in that position? These questions need answers. Modi rules because he is the kind of ruler Golwalkar decreed. A leader with God like Omni-presence at government offices/institutions, petrol pumps, educational institutions, hospitals, ration-bags, highways, railway stations etc. etc.
Delhi which had no dearth of PM Modi’s towering photos was flooded with lakhs of huge billboards as part of G-20 jamboree, many of these costing no less than 10,000 rupees. These billboards predominantly featured Modi's photo and the slogan 'The Whole World is One Family.' Yet, the reality in Delhi is quite different. Labor residential settlements were been shut down, put under cages deprived of not only meager earnings as daily wagers but also excess to toilets. PM Modi was claiming that 'The Whole World is One Family' but Delhi was out of bound for the people of Delhi!
This approach is reminiscent of the British monarchy. In 1911, a British king visited Delhi with his wife, and a grand court was built for them in north Delhi. The British even laid a railway line for brown Indian subjects to have Darshan of the white English king. Today, Modi seems to emulate this approach, treating people like subjects rather than citizens.
Who is the head of the Indian Republic? The President! But where is the President in this scenario? Is President needed only to host a lavish dinner in gold and silver ware? This extravagant spending was not funded by the RSS or the Adani or Ambani groups; it's our money that should have been utilized for hungry Indians, for providing health services to the needy, repair crumbling school buildings and hundreds such critical needs of the people of India.
The recruitment of doctors has been stalled, and government job vacancies, especially those reserved for specific groups, remain unfilled, with nearly 50% of positions vacant.
VB: Based on our discussion, can it be inferred that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have risen to a position of greater prominence and influence compared to the RSS in current political dynamics?
Shamsul Islam: Absolutely. That is happening. What is the RSS? It's an ideology that many consider toxic—a belief system where one man stands as the only deserving leader, a supreme dictator. He is India, he is the cabinet, and it is he who inaugurates trains, railway lines, airports, highways, new buildings, hospitals, educational institutions, distributes employment letters as if no ministers for these have been appointed.
Let's keep aside the political debate for a moment. He is the 'son of the poor' tea-seller. Have you ever seen Prime Minister Modi wear the same outfit twice? He seems to have a different attire for every occasion, if he attends five programs, five photos, five videos appear with five different attires, a stark contrast to the reality where many of our country's girls, who are deeply rooted in Hinduism, must resort to creative solutions like tying their sarees while bathing in poor settlements and villages to shield themselves from prying eyes. These are the struggles they face daily, living with limited resources.
During the winter, people in both cities and villages lack proper warm clothing. It raises questions about the direction we're heading. Is Modi becoming a modern-day Mughal emperor, indifferent to the plight of our fellow citizens? A leader, as I've learned in my studies of Political Science, should have a deep connection with the common people and demonstrate genuine care and compassion. Instead, you appear to distance yourself from the masses, assuming an air of royalty. These events leave a stain on our nation's democracy.
VB: What are the contribution of the Sangh Parivar to the Pre and Post-independent India?
Shamsul Islam: Please keep in mind that 'Parivar' or 'Family' is indeed a positive concept. Do not call RSS as Sangh Parivar. It would be a terrible insult of any family. RSS consists of shameless and unscrupulous individuals who are not shy of murder, rape and lynching. It is a gang which is anti-national as well as anti-humanism. A true family is one that brings happiness and support, not one that finds happiness in causing harm or taking lives.
Criminal gangs that commit horrifying acts like the rape of a girl and the murder of her baby in her womb are far from being considered a 'Parivar' or family.
Why do I call them anti-national? And I have been challenging the RSS on this issue for the past four decades, on various platforms. The RSS was established in 1925, well before our independence on August 15, 1947. Among their leaders who were part of the RSS before independence, we have individuals like LK Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, and many more. Did any of them go to jail during the independence movement? Let's leave aside the fact that they chose not to participate in the freedom struggle because they believed it was being conducted by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, and your goal was to establish a 'Hindu Rashtra.' Did any RSS leader went to jail demanding freedom for a Hindu nation during the British rule?
I continue asking them: Have you ever protested or taken a stand against cow slaughter during the British rule? Did you advocate for independence from the British for the Kesari (Saffron) flag, as you were against the tricolor which you called inauspicious and wretched due to its three colors? Did you ever demand that the British leave the country for the sake of building a Ram Mandir at the site of the Babri Masjid? Did any of your leaders go to jail for protesting against the British to stop cow slaughter?
During those times, what was your founder, Savarkar, doing? He was writing seven apology letters, stating, he as a prodigal or reckless son of the British rulers should be forgiven. He begged for mercy renouncing his revolutionary activities. Even the RSS and BJP cannot deny this historical fact. Can they explain why Savarkar got remission of almost 40 years out of his 50 years sentence?
Did you know that when Veer Savarkar, a beloved figure in the RSS, was the president of the Hindu Mahasabha, they collaborated with the Muslim League to run the government? While the entire nation, led by Congress, participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and faced arrests and mass killings Muslim League, RSS and Hindu Mahasabha were not banned. In fact, they openly supported the British government's actions.
In Karnataka's Mysore State, where the King's army, acting as an agent of the British, opened fire on Congress members carrying the Tricolour who were part of a protest, dozens of freedom fighters were martyrs. When whole nation was outraged Savarkar expressed his support for the Mysore King, and called him a symbol of Hindu power. He even conveyed a warning that any harm done to the King would be met with retaliation. Essentially, this indicated his alignment with the authorities responsible for the firing incident.
How many of us know that in 1942, Hindu Mahasabha led by ‘Veer’ of RSS ran coalition governments with Muslim League in Bengal, Sind and North Western Frontier Area. In Bengal, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, a prominent RSS and Hindu Mahasabha member was deputy in Muslim League’s ministry led by Fazlul Haq. Mukherjee as home minister was in charge of suppressing the Quit India Movement in Bengal which he did with vengeance.
What's even more shameful is that when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose aimed to create the Indian National Army (INA) and achieve independence through revolutionary means, Savarkar was busy encouraging Hindus to join the British Army without asking any questions, urging them to cooperate obediently. He himself claimed that they had inducted one lakh Hindus into the British Army.
When Netaji's army advanced in the Northeastern regions of Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the British deployed their army, including the Hindus Savarkar had encouraged to join, to confront and kill the personnel of the revolutionary army led by Netaji.
I challenge anyone to prove me wrong on these historical facts. They are documented in the records of the Hindu Mahasabha and the RSS.
VB: To what extent do you concur with the perspective held by some BJP supporters that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a more moderate and secular leader than Narendra Modi, setting him apart as a distinct political figure?
Shamsul Islam: I do not subscribe to the theory in which we try to distinguish between gentleman dictator and non-gentleman dictator. Likewise, I do not differentiate between soft Hindutva and hard Hindutva. Good and evil are two different genres. The debate that Hitler was a greater fascist and PM Modi a lesser fascist will only divert our attention from the dangers of fascist ideologies under whatever garb. I firmly believe that challenge of fascism is more serious in India as Modi came to power despite a democratic-secular polity whereas Hitler captured power after over throwing the Republican Germany
Recently, I visited a college under Mangalore University, where I encountered some members of ABVP on the premises protesting my visit. I hoped for a constructive conversation with these young individuals, but they responded rudely. However, I'm not discouraged by such encounters. My name is Shamsul Islam, and I come from a family with ties to Bhagat Singh, a courageous figure who fought against the religious polarization, Casteism and imperialism. I hail from a family which opposed pre-partition Muslim League’s 2-nation theory. I am dedicated to researching 'Dharmik Rashtravad' or religious nationalism which presents a serious threat to multi-culturalism and democracy. This fight continues against the RSS-BJP rulers because they are also believers in the 2-nation theory like Muslim League led by Jinnah.
They accused me of constantly criticizing Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Let me clarify that when I talk about individuals, I base my statements on historical documents and writings from that period. For instance, if I discuss Deen Dayal Upadhyay, I rely on his writings, speeches, actions and other available documents as evidence.
Now, let me share something based on my research. Balraj Madhok, a senior ideologue of the RSS who died as a member of RSS. He wrote his autobiography in 3 parts. The third part of his autobiography covers the period from the assassination of Indira Gandhi to the assassination of Deen Dayal Upadhyay who was the most important ideologue of RSS after KB Hedgewar and Golwalkar. I procure large quantity of this book which I distribute to those who want to know about the degenerated and debased top cadres of RSS. In this book, Madhok states that Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a senior RSS ideologue and former PM of India and Nana Deshmukh, a prominent ideologue of RSS who was awarded Bharat Ratna by Modi government were responsible for Upadhyay’s murder on February 11, 1968 at Mughal Sarai, now known as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction in Uttar Pradesh. According to him, it wasn't a communist, a thief, or dacoit on the train who killed him.
Balraj Madhok, describes in details why he was got killed by Vajpayee and Deshmukh. According to Balraj Madhok that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had turned the central office of Jan Sangh, the political organization created by RSS prior to the formation of BJP into a place of debauchery. Upadhyay as a senior RSS organizer was familiar about this character of Vajpayee and spinelessness of Deshmukh and did not like them. These are not my opinions; I base my statements on historical records and credible sources.
VB: How do you envision the future political landscape in India, especially with figures like Vajpayee in the past, Modi in the present, and experts predicting Yogi Adityanath as a potential future power holder?
Shamsul Islam: I do not believe that they are different form each other. They are one and same. We must study their beliefs and actions in totality. Hindutva and the RSS may appear to be primarily against Muslims and Christians, but that's just one aspect of their agenda. In reality, they stand against all Hindus in this country, including Hindu women and Hindu Dalits. Allow me to illustrate this with an example:
On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India passed a resolution regarding the creation of the Constitution, after four days, the English organ of the RSS, ‘Organiser,' published an editorial with a clear message: 'We don't want this constitution; we want Manusmriti.' Now, let me read a bit from Manusmriti for you. Brace yourself, as its content is quite disturbing. It includes provisions that deny rights to Hindu women and Dalits. For instance, if a Dalit dares to sit with a person of high Caste his bum must be cut off. Raising your voice against injustice? Well, your tongue will be cut off. Women are denied the right to live independently. Unfortunately, many Islamists who claim to be the franchisee holder of Islam also share similar beliefs, suggesting that women should always remain confined within their homes. There's no significant difference between their ideology and that of the RSS. Savarkar even claimed that Manusmriti was the holiest scripture after the Vedas. Mentally, I consider such people perverted. Anyone who advocates Manusmriti as our constitution lacks basic human values.
Now, let's consider whom the RSS and Hindutva-associated groups have targeted. Was it leading Muslim or Christian figure? No, it was Gandhi, Gauri Lankesh, MM Kalburgi, Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, and many others. None of them Muslim! They often paint a picture that Muslims are threat. But what threat did Muslims pose? Throughout the thousand years they refer as Muslim rule we are told that Muslim ruler would not have breakfast without having a 40 seer of jenev, holy thread of Hindus. Let us compare such claims with the following contemporary facts.
In 1871-1872 the British colonial masters organized the first census in India on the basis of religion. According to the data collected Muslims constituted 23.5% of the population, while Hindus and Sikhs made up 73.5%, with the rest accounting for 5%. Despite RSS touted 1,000 years of Muslim rule, the Muslim population remained at 23%, which raises serious questions about the Hindutva narrative on cleansing of Hindus during ‘Muslim’ rule.
Shivaji was seen as fighting for Hinduism and Hindus, while Aurangzeb was thought to fight for Islam. However, Shivaji and Aurangzeb never actually faced each other in battle. It was Rajput commanders like Jai Singh I and Jai Singh II who fought on behalf of the Mughals.
Rana Pratap fought for the sake of Hindus, and Akbar was viewed as fighting for Islam. Yet, Akbar and Rana Pratap never directly confronted each other in battle. It was Akbar's brother-in-law, Man Singh, who fought against Rana Pratap. It's essential to recognize the nuances in these historical events.
In conclusion, it's crucial not to bow down to those who seek to dominate you by spreading falsehood. The common Hindus must understand that Muslims, who pose no challenge financially, numerically, job wise and in business are not in competition with you, they are not your real enemies. By falling to the Hindutva narrative Hindus most of whom have historically suffered at the hands of higher Castes are essentially promoting 'Brahmanvad'.
VB: How did the Hindutva forces occupy such a prominent space in the Hindu society in spite of their consistent stand against social justice?
Dr. Shamsul Islam: They haven't gained prominence; it's just that those fighting against the RSS kept saying that these people are against Muslims and Christians only. We haven't been successful in conveying that the RSS isn't primarily against Muslims or Christians but rather against Hindus. We haven't waged this battle effectively yet, but it's never too late.
Look at what's happening here; it's essential to understand what's at stake. Why were MM Kalburgi, my dear friend Gauri, Govind Pansare and Narender Dabholkar killed? They were killed because they did not subscribe to the Hindutva gang’s narrative of Hinduism and Hindus. In recent bye-elections [September 5, 2023] in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghosi assembly constituency, where BJP's use of muscle and money was rampant, they lost despite it appearing as if the entire BJP and RSS had converged there, it lost miserably. The same story was repeated in the Puthuppally Assembly constituency of Kerala where BJP candidate could secure only 6558 votes against the victorious Congress candidate’s 80144 votes.
Unfortunately, we haven't been able to expose them in front of the Hindu population of this country. We need to shed light on Manusmriti and their anti-women stance.
VB: What role do you see the civil society and activism can play, dealing with the challenges posed by right-wing and fringe groups in India?
Shamsul Islam: The most fundamental thing is that you must embrace political activism. Today, I say this to both the youth and those who are not so young: take a political stance. Don't just be a passive observer, don't limit yourself to being a social activist or social media activist; become a political activist.
Secondly, I want to emphasize that the issue we're discussing is not about religious intolerance; it's not about religions. The actions of the RSS have no genuine connection with religion; it's essentially thuggery and has nothing to do with religion. Hindutva is not a religion; it's a fascist ideology like theocracy of any other religion.
VB: But they have managed to portray it as something that is connected to their religion.
Islam: That is what needs to be challenged through facts by all those who stand for a democratic-secular Indian polity. As I said earlier the Hindutva gang has been thriving because we have not challenged its claim that it stands for the good of Hindus. As we discussed above all the five major killings perpetrated by the Hindutva criminals was of those ‘Hindus’ who did not agree with this gang’s definition of Hinduism.
Now, this Hindutva war-cry that Sanatan Dharma is in danger. Was there a more ardent follower of Sanatan Dharma than Gandhi in this country? Who killed him? Muslims? Christians? Pakistanis? Russians? No, it was the proponents of Hindutva who killed him. There can be many interpretations of Sanatan Dharma, and you can even manipulate it for fascist purposes. If you claim there's only one Sanatan Dharma, what happens to Jainism? Sikhism? Buddhism? Are they not part of Sanatan Dharma? What about our democratic-secular-egalitarian Constitution being our Sanatan Dharma! We have to decide whether we want one leader, one constitution, one diet, one dress code and one language, one religion for the entire country? Will that work?"
VB: Your message to the youth of this country.
Shamsul Islam: My dear young friends, you need to become political activists. Many nefarious things that are happening today in our country, we were not vigilant enough to prevent them. You have your whole lives ahead of you, if you don't stand up now, there will be no one left to preserve the joint heritage of love, compassion and togetherness.
Like I mentioned, yesterday I went to Mangalore College. I was there to unveil a list of 132 martyrs from Karnataka who fought in 1857; Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Even there, I faced resistance from the student wing of the RSS; they didn't want this to happen. They were not allowed to disrupt the historic event. That shows that the influence of Hindutva hasn't fully permeated to all sectors yet, but if it gains more ground, it will erase everything, including science and knowledge. Don't wait for that to happen; stand against it. I beg you to get politically involved. Get involved politically to safeguard the country's constitution, democracy, and to restore balance in discourse.
I want to tell Muslim boys and girls who are greatly perturbed by the toxic propaganda of the Hindutva criminals against them and their religion that Swami Vivekananda said – and this is something even Hindutva followers should be aware of – he didn't consider Hinduism a religion; he referred to it as a geographical term for those who live here. He said those who believe in the Vedas are known as Vedantists. He also acknowledged that our religion lacked the concept of equality, and we learned it from Islam. So, even today, unfortunately, many Muslim boys and girls have forgotten the core principles of Islam and have reduced it to restricting women's independence.
Vivekananda himself spoke about the principles and spirit of Islam, which included concepts of humanity and equality. What have we done to our religion? We've narrowed it down to a single purpose – restricting women's freedom. But that's not the true essence of Islam; that's not what Islam is.
VB: Are you concerned about incidents like the recent ABVP protests and potential threats to your safety due to your outspoken views and activism?
Shamsul Islam: Let them do whatever evil they can do. Of course, it is sad that such organizations are allowed to play havoc with our democratic polity. But, personally, as Shamsul Islam and as an Indian, and I don't care about them or such gangs at all. Whenever, attacked common people have rallied around me and activists like me. Everybody has to die one day but the issue is how you die; tolerating fascism and injustice, begging for mercy, as second class citizen and staying neutral or take a stand against criminals. I want a long life because lots of work remains to be done. I have the largest collection of the original sins and documents of the RSS which prove that it is an anti-national and barbaric organization which need to be shared with all those who love India. Any suffering in this journey would be a small price.
My people guide me on the path of truth. If I'm wrong, if what I'm saying is incorrect, if the evidence doesn't support it, I will accept any punishment you suggest. But I will not stop telling the truth, not for a minute, not for a second. I am not afraid of anyone. I am not afraid of anyone!
VB: What are your thoughts on the deliberate distortion and manipulation of history by the present government and its institutions?
Shamsul Islam: History is like a sword with double edges, and I don't speak about the manipulated history. Consider that the RSS speaks about history today, claiming that India is a 5,000-year-old nation. I won't engage in that debate, but they claim that Hinduism was the first religion when the Earth came into existence. Indian civilization is believed to be in existence for last 5,000 years. In our civilization, we have important epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. What happened in the Mahabharata? According to Hindu narratives, 130 crore people were killed, starting with the episode where Draupadi's clothes were removed. Then in the Ramayana, Ram was sent into exile due to a conspiracy, and Sita was kidnapped by Ravan. Did Muslims do these things?
So, let's assume for a moment that Muslim kings did commit atrocities as Muslims to cleanse their kingdom of Hindus. If they had, this country would have become a Muslim nation long ago. After Akbar, none of the Mughal kings were Muslims. Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq did not belong to the Muslim community. Upper-caste Indians were marrying off their daughters to Muslim kings, making them their sons-in-law. Let's assume they did wrong, but are you saying that we should start taking revenge for things that happened 5,000 years ago or will you pick anyone and start taking revenge? Who did wrong to Lord Ram? Were they Muslims? If it was done by Christians, take revenge from them. If it was done by Hindus, take revenge from them. Which caste did they belong to? Will you lynch them? Who removed Draupadi's clothes? If Muslims did it, take revenge from them. If Christians did it, take revenge from them. If someone else did it, take revenge from that person. I have been raising this issue for many decades.
And when it comes to the numbers of Muslims and Christians today, take revenge from them too. Christians ruled for 200 years, and their population decreased from 1.5% to 1.2%. Mughal kings never considered Indian Muslim as equals. They showed hatred towards Indian Muslims. That's why today you will find that 90% of Muslims are laborers, goldsmiths, landless peasants, artisans, etc. If people of a religion ruled for a thousand years, would the number of the followers of that religion decline? Would their condition be like this? You have been killing and raping their girls. They can’t even protest, and when they do, you send bulldozers. People are beginning to understand this.
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.
Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
