Manmohan Vaidhya, addressing the gathering at the 550th Prakash Parv celebrations held in Auckland, which were organised by the Hindu Elders Foundation. Pravin Patel, Patreon of Hindu Elders Foundation and President of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh NZ, informed that the Foundation has entered its 13th year of service to the elders of the community this year.
Manmohan Vaidhya, who was appointed the Joint General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) last year, was in New Zealand recently. Gaurav Sharma, Associate Editor of The Indian News, caught up with him in an exclusive free-wheeling chat.
What do you think about the recent Ayodhya verdict?
Vaidhya: It was long overdue. With this verdict, I would say that truth got justice. The mosque was built as an assault on Hindu pride, and we are glad that a historical wrong has been corrected.
Won’t you praise the Muslim community for the way the verdict was received, which wasn’t in their favour, as is generally perceived?
Vaidhya: Everyone, and every community should be praised.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that this [Ayodhya dispute] was the exception, and RSS won’t be involved in any other similar movement. But confusion has still prevailed. Do you want to clarify?
Vaidhya: There is no confusion. RSS is an organisation concerned only with character-building. Our involvement with the Ayodhya dispute was an exception, and we won’t be involved in any other similar movement, be it Kashi or Mathura or any other.
Indian economy is not in a good shape. But RSS has not said anything about it. Why is it so?
Vaidhya: This is not correct. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in his Dussehra speech this year has elaborated on the economic slowdown in the country. The reasons for it, and what should be done to correct it. You should read it. Overall, I would say that the Indian Government should focus more on Swadeshi economy.
Tell us a bit about Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)? Is it affiliated to the RSS?
Vaidhya: No, HSS is an independent organisation with base in 45 countries world-wide. They are not affiliated to the RSS, but we provide guidance and support whenever it is needed by any of the wings of the HSS. There are also minor operational differences, like in terms of what is to be worn while attending sakhas, or like in the prayers, instead of Hindu dharm, vishwa dharm is mentioned. Like RSS, HSS also does a lot of social work in the countries they are based in. Such as blood donation camps, tree plantation, yogathon, beach clean-ups etc. HSS has a three-fold goal – to unite Hindus, pass on our cultural heritage to the next generation, and give back to the society. From RSS, I have been deputed to look after the HSS in Australia and New Zealand, in case they need any guidance or assistance.
-Gaurav Sharma