Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta share their ideas of Hindutva, nationalism authoritarianism and dynasty

Mumbai, September 20, 2019: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta shared their ideas of Hindutva, nationalism authoritarianism and dynasty. While Tharoor insists that the idea of Hindutva is against the freedom struggle Dasgupta emphasised that Hindutva is about civilisation and culture not religion or territory. Tharoor pointed that the feeling of insecurity among certain people is scaring. Dasgupta said the country is rolling back on the corruption which is decreasing every year.

TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SESSION:

# Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thrust on cleanliness and providing clean drinking water is appreciable. He had promoted Buddhist and Sufi conferences too but then moved away from plurality. The attitude of a large section of intellectuals to rubbish India in foreign countries is something to be disliked.

# Freedom was for everyone. Veer Savarkar’s idea of Hindutva rejected this idea and Constitution. There is a notion that this territory belongs to the Hindus only. Indian nation existed before 1947 too. Hindutva is not a territorial term but a cultural one. Constitution defines the rules of public life to be conducted. Hindutva could not be codified.

# Lynching over cows is condemnable. However, religious customs should be respected. Culture too defines nation. Constitutional patriotism is not there. The year 1950 is not a zero point for India.

# The country has witnessed fundamental change. There is a mirror reflection of the confident country. Narendra Modi has captured the process very well. In 1990, when the entire community was driven out of Kashmir that was weak India. The country’s evolution into a strong nation is natural. In 1999, the government had surrendered before the terrorists at the time of Kandahar plane hijack. Liberalisation has helped India boost its self-confidence.

QUOTES FROM THE SESSION:

“The BJP has won election on only 37 per cent votes. Majority of the voters have not adopted Hindutva.”

· Shashi Tharoor

“It is not right to demolish anyone’s place of worship but I respect the sentiments of the people who have faith (in Ram Janmabhoomi).”

· Shashi Tharoor

“In Congress, all appointments are done on merit except the presidency. The last two Congress Prime Ministers were from outside the Gandhi family. The presidency is the preference of the party workers. It also happens in Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, DMK. It is not unusual in political culture.”

· Shashi Tharoor

“The sense of ghettoisation is happening in the country. There is a need of conversation to happen.”

· Swapan Dasgupta

“The 2019 election was not a referendum on Hindutva. For the first time since 1947 corruption is rolling back. It is getting less every year. Political will defines Modi’s India.”

· Swapan Dasgupta

“The government did not consult the Opposition on abrogating Article 370 because sometimes it is necessary to do surgical strike. You did not have that courage.”

· Swapan Dasgupta