2004 - Indian Social Institute

values of Hindutva; and no more dour columns that don't appeal to women and children. At least that's
what has been promised to readers in the latest issue of Organiser, the Sangh Parivar's English weekly
that has been dishing out fervid fare to the saffron faithful for the past 56-oddyears. Faced with sharply
declining circulation and outdated editor ial content, the RSS mouthpiece has got itself a new editor whose
"mission" is to revamp the paper and make it "more racy, modern and interactive". Journalist R.
Balashankar, who was OSD to HRD minister Murli Manohar Joshi from l998 to 2004, took over the reins
last week and in his first "letter from the editor" has promised to convert the paper into a "complete family
magazine, with range, va riety and quality content". Over the next few months, the current broadsheet will
be given up for a "Time magazine format", editorials done away with, political content reduced to 30 per
cent, and features aimed at youth, students, women and children intro duced, Balashankar told The lndian
Express. (Indian Express 12.2.04)
No dilution in stand on Kashi, Mathura: RSS (26)
NEW DELHI, FEB. 13. The Rashtr'iya Swayamsevak Sangh said today that it would wel come all efforts to
resolve the Ayodhya dispute through negotiations and was hopeful of a breakthrough given the spirit of
accommodation" and "sensitivity to Hindu sentiments" shown by a large sec tion of Muslims. It appreciated
the recent fatwa from the Dar-ul-Uloom in Deoband asking Muslims not to sacrifice cows dur ing the
festival of Id-ul-Zuha. However, the RSS made it clear that there was no dilution in its stand on Kastu and
Mathura. It said that at some stage the places of Worship Act would have to be repealed to allow for
"resolution" of these two "disputes" also. "But for the moment we are only talking about Ayodhya. If we find
a solution, then we will also be able to find solutions for Kashi and Mathura, the RSS spokesperson, Ram
Madhav, said here. But the RSS would not give up its de mand on Kashi and Mathura to help re solve the
Ayodhya imbroglio. Ayodhya Kashi and Mathura were part ot the Kbb agenda and there was no change m
that. "We want bhavya (grand) temples in Math ura and Kashi too," he added. (The Hindu 15.2.04)
RSS rakes up Rahul girlfriend (26)
New Delhi, Feb. 15: The next generation leaders of the Con gress, particularly Ms Priyan ka Vadra Gandhi
and Rahul Gandhi have become a target for the RSS, particularly its mouthpiece Organiser. In a recent
meeting, the RSS decided to "prevent Sonia Gandhi from capturing India," sources said. The RSS top
brass decided to make the entire Sangh Parivar, includ ing the VHP and Bajrang Dal, "work with the BJP to
control Mrs Sonia Gandhi, an RSS functionary disclosed. In its latest issue, the Organ iser hit out at Mrs
Gandhi's children by comparing them to the BJP's second genera tion leaders. The article, Script of
Generation Next, criticised Rahul over his rela tionship with a Colombian, Juanita. It described Mrs Gandhi
and her children as a family "wedded to Christiani ty-" The article said, "Two bright faces of the
Congress. Rahul with his Colombian girlfriend and Priyanka. whose husband Robert Vadra, known more
for his dancing skills in discotheques and. of course, business interests. This is the second generation of
Congress, set out to defeat the BJP." If the BJP's second rung of leaders, ranging from Pramod Mahajan,
Arun Jaitley, Narendra Modi, Uma Bharti, Vasundhara Raje, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Sushma Swaraj
"worked their way up and contributed to grassroot politics, toiled under the scorching sun. braved lashing
rain for people's welfare, Rahul and Priyanka step out of their ivory towers only dur ing the elections," it
said, adding, "they step out only when they feel, their mother might not be able to re-cap ture India for
them." (Asian Age 16.2.04)
VHP faces mob fury on V-Day (26)
Baroda, Feb. 15: Vishwa Hindi Parishad members were attacked by a a group of Muslims when they tried
to stall Valentine's Day celebrations at the Taj Residency late Satur day night.
The incident occurred around 9.30pm when about 30 VHP members rushet to the Taj hotel where a
fashion show was being organised. Though the show was called off some VHP mem bers had reportedly
indulged in heated argu ments with some Muslim visitors from Akota out side the hotel. Soon a mob of 200
Mus lims gathered at (ho hotel pelting stones at the VHP members forcing them to flee from the spot. The
police . swung soon into action and dispersed the mob. No police complaint was lodged till late night. Gift
and card shops Feel ings and Archies in Fatehgunj, Sayajigunj and Alkapuri area were shut tered down
after the VHP members arrived with protest. Late in the evening, Valentine Day programmes at the Inox
Multiplex, Rangoli hotel and Prakruiti Resort were forced to call off by VHP. (Asian Age 16.2.040)
Temple: RSS working on new offer (26)