Right wingers are on the prowl. From Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Davanagere in Karnataka, people particularly minorities and weaker sections are feeling insecure. Who are these fringe elements trying to change the course of discourse? What is their DNA? How does a fringe element take birth? DC tries to find what goes into the making of a fringe element in a chat with Mahendra Kumar, former state Bajrang Dal chief and accused No 1 in the church attacks which happened a few years ago. In a no-holds barred interview, he share several experiences which give insights into how fringe elements take birth. Here are excerpts.
To begin with, weren't you accused number one in the Church attack?
It was not a Church attack. It happened because of conversion. I am not making a political statement. I love and respect the church and Yesu. I went to church for almost a year when I was 15. The attack was on conversion issues. To outsiders like you, an impression was given that the church was attacked. The majority has strong belief in Ramayana, The Gita and Mahabharata. The conversion attempts unleashed false propaganda about Rama and Seeta. So, those places were raided. But what’s happening now, I do not agree with it. I condemn it.
The accused in these incidents may also defend their actions the way you did. Some time in future, these elements may claim that what they did was right.
No, no. You can easily make out the difference. They are dividing society which I never encouraged. I came out of RSS and its organisations for this reason. I wanted to bring about change in Bajrang Dal about which they were not happy. So I left.
What about the Mangaluru church attack?
I, as Bajrang Dal chief, had condemned these attacks. You can check the records. I opposed attacking churches or desecration of Yesu idol. Here the attack was on faith.
You started as an ordinary person attending RSS shakas. Later, you moved to Bajrang Dal (BD). Why does RSS need organisations like BD?
They have several organisations. The BD is one. BD was established with an intention to create a youth movement for Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. It clicked, became popular. First, Pramod Mutalik was convenor. Datta Peetha Abhiyaana was one programme which was handled by BD activists.
Let us discuss what the public calls fringe element. You, as head of Bajrang Dal, brought many people to BD. Who are they? What’s their background?
They are generally from the weaker sections. They hardly have any education.
What about their daily life?
One may be working in a salon, the other may be porter or what we call a hamaali. Certainly they are not from upper class or affluent families.
What about education?
They are poor in education. The so-called educated students or people avoid responding to society at that age. They move in a different tangent. But uneducated people are open at that age. They want to fight or find solutions to social problems, help people. They have a kind of mild anger inside. You can take them to be left wing or right.
Do all BD and VHP workers go to RSS camps?
I think only five per cent of Bajrang Dal activists attend shakhas and probably, 25-30 per cent of VHP activists attend RSS shakhas.
Then, where do they get indoctrinated?
Through speeches of leaders and in BD meetings.
Why don’t they go to shakhas?
Activists of BD are different from those of RSS. The BD activists have no patience to attend shakas or sit through the session.
What about those who attend shakhas?
They are not of any use in that sense. They attend shakhas, then go do their job. Those from the economically weaker section are the ones who are vulnerable, who do anything.
What does RSS indoctrination do?
Besides genuine social activities or concerns, RSS would never say you do this or you don’t do that. It will subtly create an anti-Muslim mindset. It will keep bombarding Bajrang Dal activists and those who join such organisations with information on the past and attacks on Hindus which happened many years ago. It will set their minds on fire. Very few think and rationalise. It will sow the seeds of hatred. As a result, if they go and attack anyone or vandalise a place, you will not see evidence against RSS. Nor will they assume a direct role.
Because, they never plan or attack. They are so strong that their vicious campaign will even affect Hindus who are not with the BJP or RSS. I think such campaigns will also happen in the Muslim community. That’s why I consider this a dangerous trend, we have to stop this.
How do they manage to do this?
They want to create a mob mentality. The RSS will use the mob to get votes for BJP. But the RSS can’t manage such elements. They do not know the art of controlling their psyche. The RSS fails here. These under-privileged are vulnerable to emotional issues. So, if an undesirable act is committed by the fringe, RSS will wash off its hands. They inject frenzy. RSS never does coordination on a day to day basis.
How many of those who come from these sections will succeed in rising to the top?
Only five percent meet with success. Ninety-five per cent fail.
Those who fail, what do they do later in life?
Some get married, do some business. Some totally fail. They just abuse the RSS and other organisations and keep working in their villages.
You exited the saffron fold. Don’t you feel for those whom you brought into BD and are still there?
Yes, I feel guilty about this even today.
You saying all this because you went to jail and underwent trauma.
Not really. After I came out, I was with the Parivar for one- and-a-half years. Patriotism and Hinduism is not about disliking Muslims. I want to create a new model and I tried.
After you came out, how did the (RSS) treat you?
To be specific, I received cold treatment. They made me a fool.
After you came out of RSS and its frontal organisations, you joined JD(S). It shows you have political aspirations..
It was a big mistake. Now, I am nowhere. In the near future, I will not join any party. When we have elections sans the influence of caste or money, I will contest.
