SAHAR KHAN analyses the offensive remarks made by VHP leader Ram Vilas Vedanti and the political heat they have generated in Chhattisgarh.
The offensive remarks directed against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by former BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ram Vilas Vedanti, during the religious Kumbh Mela in Chhattisgarh last week, has generated a political storm. In his sermon at the Kumbh congregation at Rajim, about 40 kms from the state capital Raipur, the controversial VHP leader did not even spare minorities as he attacked issues pertaining to Muslims and Christians. Apparently disturbed over the raging controversy on the objectionable remarks by Vedanti, Chhattisgarh Governor ESL Narasimhan decided not to grace the Kumbh’s closing ceremony as the chief guest. The annual Rajim Mela was organised by the ruling BJP government in Chhattisgarh from February 22 to March 6, 2008. Rajim is a Hindu pilgrimage centre and is regarded as Prayag-raj of Chhattisgarh. The main opposition Congress Party lashed out at the ruling BJP for turning the religious event into a political forum. The Congress Party stated, “It is an attempt to promote its ‘vested’ interests to contest election on the pattern of Gujarat by spreading disharmony, even as Chhattisgarh and several other states are going to witness Assembly elections this year.” Vedanti reportedly referred to Sonia Gandhi in a highly unpleasant and obnoxious manner and cited Manmohan Singh as one who only understands the directives of the High Command even at the cost of Hindus’ welfare. His also targeted Rahul Gandhi and former chief minister Ajit Jogi during his speech. Many were astonished to find the purely religious congregation virtually converted into a political discourse and shocked to listen to Vedanti’s utterances. The Congressmen strongly reacted to the ‘offensive’ comments resulting in commotion. Several seers and sadhus also admitted that such political speech in the forthright religious Kumbh Mela was needless. The offensive remarks also affected the ongoing budget session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly. The House repeatedly witnessed pandemonium after Vedanti’s utterances, leading to adjournment of the House for five days. The Congress Party vehemently reacted to the remarks against their senior leaders and demanded arrest of Vedanti. There were clashes between the Congressmen and VHP/Dhram Sena cadres in Raipur. “How could he (Vedanti) pass such offensive remarks about someone who is Prime Minister and that too in a religious public meet?” wondered the leader of opposition Mahendra Karma. The Congress leaders however opined that when Vedanti was invited as the state guest to attend the religious programme at Rajim, it becomes obligatory for the state government to come out clean. “We will not tolerate such mischief by anyone,” said the Pradesh Congress Committee president Charandas Mahant. The Congress called a successful Chhattisgarh total bandh on March 8, the day when senior BJP leader LK Advani visited Raipur to address women congregation on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Though the ruling BJP dismissed the charges of the Congress Party and stated that there was no need to take action against Vedanti. “It was regretting for what has happened but Congress is blowing the issue out of proportion,” said the state tourism and cultural minister, who is credited with organising the annual Rajim Kumbh Mela in Chhattisgarh. The Raipur district collector Vikasheel told media persons that complaint against Vedanti has been registered and he would be arrested soon. However the Congress leaders charged the Raman Singh government of facilitating Vedanti’s secret escape from Chhattisgarh.
Senior advocate and thinker Kanak Tiwari stated that Vedanti has violated various sections under the IPC like 153 (B), 509, 294 besides others, which are cognizable and non-bailable offence. “And the state government did nothing to take any responsibility in this regard,” asserted Tiwari further adding that it cannot be denied that the ruling Raman Singh government of Chhattisgarh was not familiar with the attitude and nature of Vedanti. Possibly, after being known about such tendency of the VHP seer, the BJP government must have invited him, he charged. He also questioned the intention of Vedanti behind his comments on other religions of the world during the religious Kumbh meet.