Bull's Eye

Before the last general election results, this column said: "The next electionswill be held in 2000. Vajpayee will not be threatened from outside. He will be wreckedfrom inside. The RSS will discard its mask." The RSS didn't waste time.
Rajju Bhaiya's lament that "Hindus are cowards" was still ringing in our earswhen the Water controversy erupted. The Central government had cleared the script. TheUttar Pradesh government allowed its shooting. Then the RSS cracked the whip. "Publicprotests" started in Varanasi.L.K. Advani's protege Govindacharya said people have"the right to protest if their sentiments are hurt". Why not? Didn't hijackerstorture passengers because our Kashmir policy hurt their sentiments? Didn't Hitler'sstormtroopers kill Jews because their prosperity hurt Nazi sentiments? Sentiments aresacred.

One Shiv Sainik unsuccessfully attempted suicide. The UP government "could notcontrol the law and order situation". It banned the film's shooting. TheConstitution is clear. If a state government cannot maintain law and order, the Centralgovernment must impose President's rule. Perhaps sentiments came in the way.

The film unit decided to shift to Madhya Pradesh. Chief minister Digvijay Singhwelcomed the idea.

Govindacharya's protege Uma Bharati threatened film producer Deepa Mehta: "Shewould be stoned wherever she goes in Madhya Pradesh." Later, she relented."Clear my doubts about the film and I'll assure full safety." Was this a Hindusanyasin? Or a Mafia godmother?

To promote Hindu culture, Shiv Sena organised a dance bash on St Valentine's day inMumbai. To protect Hindu culture, abvp spread mayhem on St Valentine's day in Kanpur.Who's right? Never mind. Have muscle, will bully.

In Gujarat, the BJD government lifted the ban on government employees joining RSS. ThePM justified the decision on TV. He said the RSS was a cultural organisation. He soundedlike a defeated man. The next day, home minister Advani said that the RSS wasn't abanned organisation. So why object?

Of course it's not banned. But isn't it political? Decades ago, attempting to gettax exemption, top RSS leaders gave sworn affidavits that they ran a politicalorganisation.

Were they lying then when they claimed they were political? Or are they lying now whenthey claim they are not? Or do they lie all the time?

Perhaps they are simply furthering their brand of Hinduism. Which is, to have verystrong opinions and no convictions.

If I think you have a flaw,
There's nothing to dread.
I will respect the law
While I break your head.