RSS slams UPA for minority appeasement, inflation

Lucknow, Mar 9: Charging the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre with minority appeasement for its ''shameless pursuit of votes'', the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) today slammed it for compromising on the unity and security of the country.

The Sangh alleged that the so-called minorities were being pampered in a shameless pursuit of votes. ''This policy of distorting facts by using redundant initiatives like the Sachar Committee has led to the partition of our country earlier...have our politicians forgotten this fact in their savage pursuit of political interests,'' said RSS Sarkaryavaha Mohanrao Bhagwat in his annual report on the day one organisations Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sammelan -- the highest decision-making body of RSS -- which got underway here.

The report wondered why the ''love and affection bestowed on the minorities out of hunger for votes is never avaialable for the Hindu community.'' Mr Bhagwat also ridiculed the way the interests of refugees from Kashmir and the citizens of Jammu and Ladakh were being ignored while the government was holding ''secret'' deliberations with secessionists. ''What is the meaning of utterances by some of our senior officials like 'transfer of less populated areas can be discussed' in the context of our talks with China?'' he quipped.

The RSS Sarkaryavaha observed that a 'direct threat'' from across the border from Pakistan and an indirect threat from New Delhi's talks with China were looming on the country. ''In Kerala, the network of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is spreading its tentacles very fast,'' he added.

Charging the Centre with opening doors for multi-national companies (MNCs) at the cost of the poor, the report observed that farmers were committing suicides due to heavy burden of debts.

''..But the architects of these self-destructing policies are satisfied with their acts like opening the doors for MNCs.'' He alleged that the rational demands of citizens were not being met who were frustrated with rising inflation.

Touching upon the much-talked about issue of sex education, the RSS leader regretted that the introduction of ''perverse sex education curriculum'' in the name of AIDS awareness, ''is mortgaging the age-old cultural values of the country.'' The three-day meet which began here this morning is being attended by 1,000 RSS workers and 300 representatives of 42 organisations affiliated to RSS.

UNI