Politicians thrive on caste differences: RSS

Kochi, Apr 13 (UNI) Even as the Centre is considering introducing 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in Central universities and professional institutions, RSS National Executive Member Ram Madhav has criticised politicians for ''thriving on caste differences.'' Delivering the keynote address at a function here last evening, at which a 12-volume Malayalam version of the collected works of the former RSS 'Sarsanghchalak' M S Golwalkar was released, Mr Madhav claimed there was no justification for the caste system.

''Where is the sanction for dividing people into upper and lower castes. The concept of caste was created in a particular context.

But, everyone should change with the changing world. One good custom today can corrupt the world tomorrow. Unfortunately, politicians thrive on caste differences,'' he added.

''When Guruji (Golwalkar) spoke of cultural nationalism, the RSS was pounced upon and condemned as fundamentalist and anti-secular.

Any talk of culture, dharma, religion or values in this country becomes anti-secular,'' Mr Madhav claimed.

Stating Mahatma Gandhi had realised that moral decline was setting in the Congress after independence, Mr Madhav said it was for this reason he had advocated the disbanding the party for transforming it into a 'lok sevak sangh.' ''While the Congress leaders thought that there was nothing wrong in enjoying power, the RSS alone realised that only by remaining outside the power structure, can the nation be served,'' he added.

Observing that a ''terrible degree of degeneration had crept in the social, economic and moral spheres of the country,'' the RSS leader said 'dharma' could not be protected by preserving temples, monuments or epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

''Dharma can be preserved only when the 'dharmi'(one who practices dharma) is preserved. This is the vision and mission of Guruji which the RSS is advocating,'' he added.

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