PM Narendra Modi talking Balochistan, PoK softens RSS and VHP

NEW DELHI: PM Modi’s remarks on Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have helped warm up his relations again with Sangh Parivar fountainhead RSS and affiliate VHP, both of which were cross with him over his earlier statement reprimanding cow vigilantes.

RSS and VHP had come down heavily on the PM for saying that “70-80% of cow vigilantes are those who indulge in anti-social activities by night and act as cow protectors by day”. Both organisations had issued statements voicing their differences with the PM on the issue.

Though the PM tried to make amends when he clarified his stand on cow protectors the next day at a programme in Hyderabad, the Sangh Parivar was not fully placated.

However, Modi mentioning PoK and Balochistan has softened RSS and VHP. Asked about Modi’s remarks, RSS Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya told ET: “The resolution passed by Parliament in 1994 when Narasimha Rao was PM Pakistan occupied Kashmir is an integral part of India. There is no question of renegotiating this. The only issue is of getting the territory back.”

On what RSS feels now about Modi reprimanding cow vigilantes, Vaidya maintained that one should only go by the PM’s last version which came in Hyderabad. “It was the same person (Modi) speaking in Hyderabad the next day. He has rectified his stand. One should go by the latest version.”

Rakesh Sinha, RSS Thinker, maintained it is not just the issue of human rights violations in Balochistan as stated by the PM. “It is also a question of the nationality of the people of Balochistan. It is a colony of Pakistan. This is a case of internal colonisation by Pakistan.”

VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain welcomed Modi’s words on PoK and Balochistan. “We hope this is not just empty rhetoric by Modi on PoK,” Jain said.