BJP-RSS disrespecting those who do 'tapasya', like farmers: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul said the fight against the BJP-RSS has ceased to be a political fight and has turned into an ideological fight

Firing a fresh salvo at the Hindutva brigade, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the BJP-RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is forcing others to worship them while disrespecting those who do 'tapasya' like the farmers and labourers.

He claimed this is the reason why Modi does not face the media fearing that it may seek truth while doing their ‘tapasya’, as he wants all in the country to hold him in high esteem.

Addressing a press conference in Kurukshetra, where the mythical war between the Pandavas and Kauravas took place, Rahul said Congress is a party that does 'tapasya' while the BJP is one that wants others to do its 'puja.'

“RSS-BJP wants them to be forcibly worshipped. Modi-ji also wants this...They have captured all institutions, use money (power) and instil fear in people. They are telling people not to do 'tapasya'," he said.

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"That is why the Prime Minister does not meet you (media). He is scared of those media which are doing ‘tapasya’ and seeking truth," Rahul said.

Emphasising that the RSS-BJP doesn't want others to respect only those who do their 'puja' should be respected, he asked whether demonetisation respects the 'tapasya' of the poor. "Certainly not. It was an attack on 'tapasya', he said.

Asked whether there is confusion in the messaging of Bharat Jodo Yatra, he referred to an episode in Mahabharata when Arjuna said he only saw the eye of a fish while aiming during his 'gurukula' days and said that it was the message Bhagavad Gita also gives. "Do your work, what has to happen will happen, don't focus on the outcome, this is the thinking of this Yatra,” he said.

He said a section is more concerned about his T-shirt while some others wonder how many kilometres he has walked while emphasising these are non-issues.

"Nobody asks how many kilometres farmers, labourers have walked. You will not see any farmer or labourer who has not walked more than myself. We don't respect 'tapasya.' This land is of ‘tapasvis’ and not pujaris," he said.

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He said the fight against the BJP-RSS has ceased to be a political fight and has turned into an ideological fight or a question on religion after the present ruling dispensation has captured institutions.

“One thing which I have understood is that this fight is actually not political, superficially it is a political fight. When we fight BSP or TRS, then it is a political contest. But there has been change in the country.

“The day when the RSS controlled the institutions of this country, the fight did not remain political. Now, this has become a different fight. You may call it a fight of ideology, fight of religion, or you can give it any framework, but this is not a political fight.”

Rahul said the Yatra's purpose is also to let people hear the truth and that is why the Bharat Jodo Yatra is successful. Because not only the Congress or one individual is doing 'tapasya', lakhs are doing 'tapasya', it is the message of yatra,” Rahul said.

On questions on yatra, he said the Kanyakumari to Kashmir walkathon is against the voices that are being suppressed in India, spread of fear, division of the country and putting people on caste and religious lines.