JASWANT HAS PAID THE PRICE FOR BEING MODERATE

Recent expulsion of senior party leader Jaswant Singh by the BJP has once again reaffirmed its fundamentalist ideology. The party, widely considered as the face of RSS, began its march in the political corridors of India with the demolition of Babri Masjid. It was a high note to start, coupled with the raised religious expectations of Hindus; but fell miserably as the party failed in building the Ram Temple during its tenure at centre. Whatever might have been the political compulsions, it was aptly clear that India can not be ruled with religious hatred. Lost in the identity crises, the party tried to be moderate, but seemed, as almost impossible to give up the fundamentalist approach. The RSS had a say in that. This was again visible in the recent debacle of Lok Sabha elections.

An ugly face of party came out in public during the brainstorming sessions post parliamentary elections. Leaders like Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and Jaswant Singh were virtually sidelined for their independent and moderate thinking. It was more to do with their not so fundamental ethics. Again, it was RSS at its best. The sevaks could not tolerate the emergence of independent thinking. The selective sacking of Jaswant Singh followed by a ban on his book in Gujrat is perhaps, a warning to all those moderates. Jaswant Singh has called this ban, a ban on thinking. He has been sacked for having a point of view on Jinnah, whereas, similar was the case of L K Advani when he also praised Jinnah on a visit to Pakistan.

It may seem like an internal matter of BJP but the implications are grave for India's democratic structure. It has sent an open alarm that religious politics is here to stay.

Jaswant Singh , a Soldier and a Politician

Jaswant Singh, an alumnus of the India's National Defence Academy, passed out with the 11th course on 01 Dec 1956 and was later commissioned into the Indian Army's Central India Horse in 1957. He resigned his military commission to join politics. A six term Member of Parliament (of both houses), he was appointed Minister of External Affairs in Dec 1998. On 13 Oct 1999, he was reappointed as the Minister of External Affairs following the elections and formation of the new Government. In Government, he has held a variety of posts in the past, as Minister of Finance and Minister of Electronics and Surface Transport; has chaired several Govt of India Task Forces, including Telecom, IT and Infrastructure, thus preparing the policy framework subsequently adopted by the Govt. He has also been the Dy Chairman of the National Planning Commission. Suave diplomacy, excellent oratorical skills and a reputation for solidity characterise him as an outstanding and respected politician.