Bias of Delhi government on RSS

By Pramod Kumar

Government has different rules for different people or communities. When a Moharram procession, in which processionists carrying open swords and other weapons in hands, is taken out, the government not only grants prior permission but also provides full security. But when it comes to a peaceful display of Ghosh (band) by unarmed swayamsevaks of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Delhi Police implements all its constitution in toto.

Recently the concluding ceremony of Shri Guruji birth centenary celebrations was held in Delhi in which more than two lakh people participated. It was the biggest ever mass awareness campaign conducted in the country after Independence. The prime attraction of the concluding ceremony was the display of Sangh Ghosh by 1,900 trained swayamsevaks. These Ghosh swayamsevaks had come from different parts of the country to participate in the event. Before the main function of February 18 these swayamsevaks underwent a special three-day Ghosh training and on February 17 they were scheduled to display their Ghosh skills at five different places of Delhi. As per rules, the Delhi unit of RSS sought permission from Delhi Police to take out five path sanchalans of Ghosh swayamsevaks. These path sanchalans were proposed to be taken out in Chandani Chowk, Kalkaji, Laxmi Nagar, Punjabi Bagh and Rohini. Accordingly the prior permission was sought from the police authorities concerned.

But what surprised everyone was that the Delhi Police categorically refused permission for the path sanchalans in Chandani Chowk and Kalkaji citing no reason. The permission was granted for only three venues—Laxmi Nagar, Punjabi Bagh and Rohini—and that too with prior conditions that “number of band players should not exceed 250. Route proposed should be curtailed so that the duration of the procession is reduced. The processionists band party will not carry any lathi, spear, trishul (bhala) or any weapon of offence. To move on one side of road without obstructing traffic. The permission is valid for 17.02.07 between 1630-1730.” (Vide letter no. 11400/C&T (AC-IV) PHQ. dated 16/02/2007, signed by H.M. Meena, DCP, Headquarters, Delhi)

When the Moharram processions are taken out in Delhi the traffic of the whole capital comes to a standstill and how much hardships Delhiites have to face on that day is witnessed in the newspapers of the next day. On that day the police never tell the processionists “to move on one side of road without obstructing traffic.” It is also common for the processionists of Moharram to carry “weapons of offence” in public. They wave them in the air. And the government not only grants them permission but also provides them protection throughout the procession. That day no Moharram party is also told to curtail the duration of the procession as well as curtail the number of processionists. But when it comes to a peaceful path sanchalan by the RSS, it is told that the number of band players should not exceed 250.

As far as carrying lathi, spear, trishul or any other weapon of offence is concerned the Ghosh players do not need all these. What they need is nothing but two sticks by which they beat the drums and the instruments they play.

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