Me: Write the first of a series of three studied and researched articles about India’s military preparedness, referencing the current militant religious nationalism in the first article, to be followed by two others (the second one about examining why India’s youth aren’t enlisting, despite rising threats and evolving military needs, and the third about geopolitics with a special reference to Indian interests, perspectives, and ideologies). The first one asks a simple question:
“Why do those who glorify the military with such fervour rarely feel compelled to join it?”
Sharmaji: “But, but, the RSS has done so much social work in times of floods and pandemics. Have you considered that?”
Me: “I am sure there are many articles written on that, mainly by their PR team and cultists. But the one I wrote is about the defence forces and our military readiness, with a particular reference to their (RSS’s) youth not being able to fill the large number of vacancies despite their posturing. So, I have confined myself to that. Can you answer the question I posed in it, whether the young RSS members are unready, unwilling, or unable to enlist in our military, or is there another reason? Because that, you see, is the point I am making, which, if you have any counterpoints to, I’d love to hear.
Secondly, RSS’s chief contribution to this nation (since its very inception, both its own in 1925 and India’s in 1947) has been, let us say, less than stellar, even embarrassing, or in fact, counterproductive. To talk of their ‘national service’ is missing the point. And turning the spotlight away from the subject at hand.
For example, Seth Dharam Dayal Teja’s love for Mona was probably tender and caring, and his adoration for gold was perhaps a mental affliction that needed empathy and therapy, but no one remembers him for that, right? Similarly, one cannot say to Thakur Baldev Singh that mentioning Gabbar without discussing his love for his horse, his patronage of the arts (especially gipsy dance), or his long friendship with Samba is somehow biased and unfair, even if it is technically true, because, and I know this will sound a bit extreme to you: We. Know. Gabbar. Singh. For. Something. Else. Altogether!
I hope I have made my point.
P.S.: The Jamaat ud-Dawa of Pakistan assists in times of earthquakes and floods, feeding starving children and building shelters for the homeless. It is a well-known social organisation in our neighbouring country. But, and once again, stop me if you’ve heard this one before, it is a front for Lashkar-e-wait-for-it-Tayyiba. Do you see where this is going?”
Social media. Sigh!
