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| Speculations over Karan Singh's dig at questioning Hindu faith. | | | Early Times Special Correspondent
Jammu | Sep 30
The dig by former Congress minister and veteran party leader Dr. Karan Singh, who is the Chairman of Central Council for Cultural Affairs, at Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) over the latter submitting an affidavit in the Supreme Court, calling to question the existence of Ram and describing Ram Setu as a natural formation and not man made, has created flutter in Congress circles, while the BJP has received a shot in the arm in its agitation for protecting Ram Setu, the bridge supposed to have been built on the directions of Ram, for reaching Lanka. In an article published in the mouth peace of the Congress Party, "Samdesh, entitled "The Ram I know", he has stated that question mark on the historicity of Ram and Ram Setu has shocked the nation by ASI going far beyond its mandate and making certain sweeping observations, which are hurting the Hindu sentiments.
Coming as a does the observations by a senior Congress leader over the issue, which the party high command, precisely party President Sonia Gandhi would like to be considered as a closed chapter, issuing categorical instructions that no party person should make further statement on the issue, Karan Singh's article appearing in the periodical believe to be semi official organ of Congress, has given rise to wide speculations. The questions being asked in Congress circles are, is the scion of former Dogra ruling dynasty in J&K, once again distancing himself from his party and going closer to the saffron outfit, as was the case in 1980s. Dr. Karan Singh, who was Union Minister for Health and Family planning in the Indira Gandhi government during emergency in 1976-77 had after the defeat of Congress as well as of Indira Gandhi herself in the parliamentary elections of 1977, deposed against Indira Gandhi before the Shaw commission, that was appointed by the Janta Party Government, to go into the accesses committed in forcible sterilizations done during that period and absolved himself of all the responsibilities for the same as Minister for Family planning. He also joined as Cabinet Minister in the Charan Singh lead rebel Janta Party government. But after Congress under Indira Gandhi's leadership bounce back to power, Dr Karan Singh did mend fences with Congress. In between he became Chairman of the RSS-VHP sponsored Vishav Hindu Samelan, thus coming closer to saffron ideology. Again, when Congress ticket was denied to him from Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency, in 1984. He fought election as an independent candidate, solidly supported by BJP and Sang Parivar outfits. He fought election on the plank of discriminations against Jammu and on the promise that he would lead a movement for fulfillment of the urges and aspirations of Jammu region and also form a regional party of Jammu. But after meeting defeat at the hands of a light weight Congress candidate, he left Jammu in frustration, not to come back for a long time. He rejoined Congress, after being apologetic for his past drift, during Narsimha Rao's government, when he was appointed Indian Ambassador to USA.
Dr. Karan Singh may be a turn coat in politics, but his faith in Hindu mythology and legends is unflinching. Having in-depth knowledge of Hindu scriptures, by studying these extensively and thoroughly, he has also command over Vedic hymns, which he often recites and quotes in his speeches. He has been staunch believer in Hindu ethos and philosophy of life and observes Vedic rituals religiously. Karan Singh had done Doctorate on Philosophy, with his subject being the philosophic thoughts of Arvindu Ghosh, way back in 1956-57. His defense of Hindu faith in Ram and dig at those who call to question the same may help the BJP in its latest battle cry or may take wind out of their sails in projecting their party to be the sole guardian of Hindu faiths, with many tall Congress leaders coming in support of the sensitivities of Hindus. In this regard Karan Singh might have expressed the views he has with the blessings of Madam Sonia Gandhi. It is a matter of speculation. |
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