SJM back on streets against Govt

After lying low for some time, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) upped the ante today by embarking on a two-month-long nation-wide agitation a...

After lying low for some time, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) upped the ante today by embarking on a two-month-long nation-wide agitation against the ‘‘anti-people’’ policies of the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government.

While doing so, the SJM accused the Centre of ‘‘endangering’’ the country’s economic independence by succumbing to pressures of developed countries in the WTO.

RSS strongman and SJM founder Dattopant Thengadi flagged off a Swadeshi Sangharsh Yatra at the Vithalbhai Patel Bhawan here to mobilise public opinion against the government policies. He said the Centre’s ‘‘anti-labour and anti-farmer’’ policies manifested the WTO conditions.

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Thengadi’s severe indictment of government policies is contrary to the spirit of the RSS Pratinidhi Sabha resolve at Nagpur last month to ensure ‘‘a unity of purpose’’ within the Sangh Parivar.

When reached for comments at Hyderabad, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said: ‘‘Even though I am not aware of what Thengadiji exactly said, every Parivar organisation is at liberty to articulate its views on policies and governance.’’

Disagreeing that the SJM criticism exposed the differences within the Parivar, he contended, ‘‘Even the BJP provides space for internal democracy as exemplified by the virtual rejection of the Vijay Kelkar committee report by a party panel. We are not worried as long as our people eschew personal criticism.’’

Thengadi, who had recently returned the Padma Vibhushan, went on to charge the government with ‘‘indifference’’ towards the difficulties of small-scale enterpreneurs. He contended that the Centre, by opening every sector to multi-national companies, was killing indigenous industries. ‘‘The WTO agreement,’’ he said, ‘‘is endangering the economic independence of the country.’’

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later, SJM convener P. Muralidhar Rao suggested that the Government join hands with developing countries to protect common interests rather than giving in to ‘‘threats of economically powerful countries.’’

Hitting out at disinvestment, the SJM chief said: ‘‘The Government is handing over profit-making assets to a few corporates. Rules are being framed to remove competitive edge and encourage monopoly. The experience of Balco, Modern Foods, Centaur and VSNL proves it.’’