Watch: Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) on US Tariff war and India
In this episode, we are going to talk about a war of a different nature altogether — the tariff war started by the United States, tariff negotiations, and what it means for world trade. Today, for the first time on this show, I'll be doing an interview.
We will be speaking to Dr. Ashwani Mahajan, the co-convener of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Dr. Mahajan has been an influential voice in shaping India's economic and trade policies. He sheds light on India's decision to exit RCEP and more.
Script & Presentation: Nistula Hebbar
Production: Shibu Narayan
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Scroll.in
6 hours ago
- Scroll.in
Readers' comments: Good writers can transcend ideology, why use partisan labels of ‘left' or ‘right'
I read this interview (' 'What unites the Kannada world is an admiration for vachana literature': Writer Srikar Raghavan ') with mixed feelings. His observations on the plight of the immigrants in cities and the work of civic activists like SR Hiremath make sense, as does his analysis of Naxalism in Karnataka. One should not judge a book by its covers and reviews. But if one has to go by the opinions expressed in this interview, one can only lament the author's ignorance and prejudice. The same can be said of the interviewer. A case in point is the following passage: 'Despite the faithful recording and echoing of leftists that they failed to engage culturally with the masses, the book amply demonstrates the deep interest and grounding of writers (who may broadly be grouped with the left) in Indian religions, philosophy, and folk culture. A telling line is the claim by UR Ananthamurthy that they earnestly searched for god but returned empty-handed. This belies claims of mindless imitation of the West, often levelled by the right wing.' The Left has always used the term 'masses' for ordinary people. It is condescending. The leftists, as authors, failed to engage with the reading public. How much of their writing has stood the test of time? A number of them, like UR Ananthamurthy, professed interest and claimed understanding of religion and philosophy, but knew precious little. Did they earnestly search for god and return empty-handed? Hardly. Why must one associate all good writers with the Left? 'Left' and 'Right' are labels of partisanship. Great writing can transcend the writer's own ideological leanings. SL Bhairappa's fiction like Doora Saridaru and Griha Bhanga have nothing to do with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its line of thought that he admires. Bhairappa is a wonderful narrator of stories and he understands the rural landscape as few of the 'navya' (neo-modernist) writers do. Contrary to Srikar Raghavan's claim, the' Navya' movement did not begin in the 1950s. It made its debut in the 1960s. One does not have to be right-wing to point out that their inspiration came from writers like TS Eliot and Albert Camus. Early 20th-century writers like Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, DV Gundappa and DR Bendre were steeped in religion and philosophy, yet their writing was rooted in the lives of simple, ordinary folk. Raghavan goes overboard in praising vachana sahitya for its egalitarianism and universalism. What unites the Kannada world is language, literature and culture. For a Kannadiga, vachana sahitya and haridasa sahitya both are an integral part of life. Raghavan chooses to call Alur Venkata Rao a 'subnationalist'. Rao was a disciple of Tilak and Gandhi and was at the forefront of the freedom movement in Karnataka. He also fought for the unification of Karnataka as a state. His struggle for the cause of Kannada and Karnataka does not become subnationalism or parochial nationalism. One issue that Srikar Raghavan has with the early historical fiction in Kannada is that it did not incorporate the many sultanates of the Deccan. But a novelist can only create a fictional world that he can imagine from within. There are vast and varied connections between life and literature, literature and society and not through the polarised lens of present-day discourse. Srikar Raghavan and others of similar persuasion must set aside their blinkers and approach the language and literature of the Kannada world with humility. Late Alur Venkata Rao, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, DV Gundappa and DR Bendre dedicated their whole lives to the cause of Kannada and Karnataka. Gundappa's mother tongue was Tamil and he wrote exclusively in Kannada. Bendre's mothertongue was in Marathi. He wrote his verse in Kannada alone. There is no lack of authentic voices in Kannada, be it Jayant Kaikini or Banu Mushtaq. They have already figured on your web site. If you look for others, you will find them too. – Nagesh Havanur
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- The Hindu
A needless controversy over ‘Bharat Mata'
Recently, an unexpected and unwarranted controversy erupted in Kerala in connection with World Environment Day, which is observed annually on June 5. Unfortunately, it was triggered by Raj Bhavan. In Kerala, World Environment Day is widely observed every year. There is massive participation from the people, who plant thousands of saplings across the State. The day has become an occasion for the people to enrich their understanding of the environment and commitment to the cause of it. The proposal This year, the Department of Agriculture decided to conduct the inaugural function of World Environment Day at the premises of Raj Bhavan. The Governor, Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, graciously agreed to inaugurate the event. On the eve of the function, while communicating the details of the programme to the Agriculture Minister's office, Raj Bhavan proposed that a new practice be followed and floral tributes be paid to a painting. On receiving this proposal, the Minister's office requested for more clarification. The Governor's office responded by sending a photograph of the painting, claiming it was the image of 'Bharat Mata'. Surprisingly, the image was the same one used by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during its functions. Raj Bhavan's version depicted Bharat Mata sitting on a lion and holding a saffron flag, which resembled the flag of the RSS. In the backdrop of the painting was a map — and it was certainly not the map of the Indian Republic. After some consultations, the Minister informed the Governor's office that it is improper to use and glorify such an image at an official function organised by the government. But due to reasons known only to him, the Governor insisted that the function would not be conducted without that image and with his participation. The government was forced to change the venue to the premises of the Secretariat. Every dignitory participated except the Governor. Reportedly, during the function conducted in Raj Bhavan, the Governor glorified the saffron flag-holding Bharat Mata. He argued that it is the symbol of India. He also criticised the Kerala government and all those who were not ready to uphold his concept of Bharat Mata. Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, controversies between the Governors and State governments have taken place not just in Kerala but also elsewhere. The Supreme Court has intervened in some of these instances. Now, thanks to Governor Arlekar, even Bharat Mata has taken centre stage in these controversies. A dynamic concept Bharat Mata is a concept with deep roots in the collective consciousness of the people of India. During the anti-colonial struggle, it was used by various groups with different sociopolitical orientations to inspire and unify all sections of society in the struggle for Independence. Nobody can argue that any particular version is the 'real' expression and face of Bharat Mata. This is a broad concept. Bharat Mata has been interpreted by many according to their own concepts of nation, nationality, and world view. Over the course of time, the RSS, for its own purposes, may have come up with its own idea of Bharat Mata. Governor Arlekar as an individual has the right to believe that the Bharat Mata of the RSS is the only true portrait of the concept. Those with a particular ideological persuasion have the right to think that Bharat Mata should be holding a saffron flag. They would also appreciate finding her seated on a lion. For them, it is also befitting to have a specially drawn map in the backdrop of the painting of their Bharat Mata. As per its ideological and organisational framework, the RSS has come up with a particular image of Bharat Mata that suits its dream of a 'Akhand Bharat' and its militant aggressive nationalism. In RSS shakhas, this version of Bharat Mata may be eulogised. But conceptions of Bharat Mata are abstract and varied. It is futile to impose any one version as the only acceptable and authentic version. The matter becomes even more complicated when the RSS tries to foist its ideological and political preoccupations upon official functions. Governor Arlekar, who has great experience in public life, is expected to know this basic principle. Those who hold constitutional positions cannot show their political leanings. The dividing line between their political commitment and official responsibility should be deeply inscribed in their minds. What Nehru said The Governor, and the people who follow his ideological track, may not be happy with former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for various reasons. But Nehru must be remembered on this occasion. He wrote, 'Sometimes as I reached a gathering, a great roar of welcome would greet me: Bharat Mata ki Jai — Victory to Mother India. I would ask them unexpectedly what they meant by that cry, who was this Bharat Mata... India was all this that they had thought, but it was much more. The mountains and the rivers of India, and the forests and the broad fields... were all dear to us, but what counted ultimately were the people of India, people like them and me, who were spread out all over this vast land. Bharat Mata, Mother India, was essentially these people. You are parts of this Bharat Mata, I told them, you are in a manner yourselves Bharat Mata, and as this idea slowly soaked into their brains, their eyes would light up as if they had made a great discovery.' Binoy Viswam, Secretary, Communist Party of India National Council, and former Rajya Sabha MP
The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
SJM to launch nationwide movement to encourage people to boycott foreign goods
The 'Swadeshi Suraksha evam Swavlamban Abhiyan' will be launched at an event here on Thursday, SJM national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said in a statement. The RSS affiliate also called upon the government to protect national interest while entering into free trade agreements with other countries and regulate e-commerce giants to stop them from indulging in 'predatory pricing'. New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Tuesday said it will launch a nationwide movement this week to encourage people to use indigenous products and boycott foreign goods as it called upon the government to curb imports of Chinese products. He appealed to people from different walks of life including traders, representatives from industry, farmers, students and social organisations to become part of the movement to make India great again. 'The consumer must become a conscious citizen, not just a passive buyer. When one chooses a local product over a Chinese import, or supports an Indian platform over a foreign digital monopoly, one is participating in nation-building,' he said. 'We also call upon the government to curb imports of Chinese products and protect the national interest while entering into free trade agreements with other countries,' it said. 'We also call upon the government to regulate e-commerce giants, and stop them from indulging in predatory pricing, warehousing of their products being sold on their platforms, stop practice of preferred sellers and selling of products with their own labels; and uphold the law of the land,' it added. The SJM also urged the government to provide 'encouragement' to Swadeshi digital platforms and Indian MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises), start ups, like ONDC (open network for digital commerce) and support them. It called upon the government to protect and promote 'Indian electronics, telecom and other strategic industries'. Mahajan said India's freedom struggle was not merely a movement to gain political independence from British colonial rule but also an assertion of economic dignity, cultural identity, and civilisational sovereignty. 'The Swadeshi movement, born during the early stages of independence movement, was a clarion call to reject foreign goods, restore domestic production, and to rebuild India's self-sufficient economic ecosystem,' he said. He said political will, policy interventions and public participation in achieving 'atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in some of the sectors, have shown positive results. 'Today, more than seven decades after independence, we are once again confronted with a silent but dangerous form of economic colonization,' Mahajan said. The players have changed, the methods have become more sophisticated, but the objective remains the same: 'to dominate India's markets, control our consumers, weaken our producers, and deepen our dependency on them', he claimed. 'This new colonisation comes not with gunboats or viceroys, but through the digital manipulation of e-commerce platforms, the infiltration of hostile economies into strategic sectors, and the unfair dumping of cheap foreign products into our market,' he further claimed. Some of these 'dubious players' were exposed during the ongoing tariff war and recent Pakistani misadventure of attacking our territories, he added. 'China has long been India's biggest trading partner, but this relationship has become increasingly one-sided and dangerous. India's trade deficit with China consistently and currently reached 99.2 billion USD, with cheap and often substandard goods entering Indian markets, undercutting our MSMEs, destroying jobs, and weakening domestic manufacturing capacity,' Majajan claimed. 'Turkey, a country whose present regime under President Erdogan has made no secret of its anti-India rhetoric and unholy alliances with Pakistan and extremist forces. Yet, Turkish companies continue to invest and operate freely in India, reaping the benefits of our open market while undermining our sovereignty,' he added. PTI PK ZMN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
