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India for Hindus first, others later: says Shiv Sena in Saamana editorial

Published

9 years ago

on

Uddhav-Thackeray

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Statement comes days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat claimed that Hindustan is a country of Hindus but belongs to others too if they adopt Indian culture

Days after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat reiterated his ‘Hindustan is for Hindus’ remark and asserted that “others” who adopt Indian culture are also welcome in the country, the Shiv Sena decided to qualify the Sangh chief’s remark, on Monday, by stating that Hindus have the first claim to India and “others” must be stacked lower in the pecking order.

“The RSS chief says like Hindus, India belongs to others as well. The Shiv Sena chief says India belongs to Hindus first and others later, because there are more than 50 countries for Muslims,” the Sena said in an editorial that appeared in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had, on Friday, said in Indore that ‘Hindustan’ is a country of Hindus, but it does not mean that it does not belong to “others”.

The Saamana editorial comes at a time when the alliance between the Shiv Sena and RSS progeny – the BJP – is on shaky ground with the leadership of both sides acknowledging, albeit unofficially, of an increasing trust deficit in the decades-old coalition.

In recent months, the Shiv Sena has become openly critical of the BJP and its leadership, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his close aide Sanjay Raut have openly hit out at Modi on key decisions taken by the central government – demonetisation and GST being just two of them – and talking of the Prime Minister’s waning popularity.

However, the Saamana editorial – seen in political circles as an official view of the Shiv Sena on critical issues – now seeks to hit out not just at the BJP but even the RSS and its chief, a move that can be perceived as the Maharashtra-based parties attempt at testing how far it can flex its muscles with the senior alliance partner.

Taking on Bhagwat, the Saamana editorial states: “Christians have countries like America and (in) Europe. Buddhists have China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Hindus do not have any country except this.”

The editorial also makes a point to criticise the Modi government over its attempts – or as the Sena thinks, the lack of them – to implement the communally divisive Hindutva agenda – an ideological thread that had brought the BJP and Shiv Sena together nearly three decades ago.

“Today there is a pro-Hindutva majority government in power. Yet, it is not willing to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya and has left its future in the hands of the court,” the Saamana editorial says, adding: “Despite a pro-Hindutva government, the ghar wapsi of Kashmiri Pandits hasn’t taken place.”

The construction of a Ram Temple at the site where the Babri Masjid stood in Ayodhya before its demolition by RSS-BJP workers in 1992 has been a common agenda of the BJP and Shiv Sena, much like the politically and communally sensitive issue of rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir valley.

Ever since the Modi government came to power in May 2014, the pro-Hindutva forces – BJP and Shiv Sena, among others – have revived the issue of construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. However, since the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi title suit is pending before the Supreme Court (scheduled to be heard from December 5 onwards), the political claims of getting the temple built have been restricted to rhetoric and not actual implementation of the ground.

The Saamana editorial also touched upon another contentious issue – the ongoing debate over playing Vande Mataram and the national anthem in public places.

“A stubborn attitude prevails towards singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ despite the president and the prime minister belonging to the “thought process of the RSS”, and some also do not find it appropriate to stand up while the national anthem is being played,” the Sena editorial said.

“If these ‘others’ are insulting the national anthem by not standing up, the RSS chief should guide the pro-Hindutva government on what stand it should take against them,” the editorial said further.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi takes aim at critics with Dimagi Naxal remark at SRCC centenary address

PM Modi revived his dimagi Naxal remark at SRCC’s centenary celebrations and spoke about India’s development journey.

Published

4 hours ago

on

September 6, 2026

By

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi revived his ‘dimagi Naxal’ remark while addressing the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi on Saturday, using the term to criticise his opponents.

Speaking to students at the Delhi college, PM Modi described the phrase as a “homeopathic pill” and said it had prompted those he described as “dimagi Naxals” to come forward and reveal their views.

The prime minister also used his address to speak to Gen-Z about India’s development journey and asked students to consider the challenges the country had faced in the past.

PM Modi recalls past crises

During his speech, PM Modi referred to the 2013 Kedarnath disaster and the 2008 global financial crisis while criticising the handling of national emergencies by previous governments.

He said the government at the time of the Kedarnath disaster was shaken and questioned its ability to respond to the crisis.

Referring to the 2008 banking crisis, PM Modi alleged that the government of the time failed to effectively deal with the situation and claimed that India’s banking system was pushed close to collapse.

Prime minister lists challenges faced by his government

PM Modi also highlighted several major global crises that occurred during his government’s tenure.

He mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, disruptions to global trade and supply chains, and the crisis in West Asia.

The prime minister said there had been concerns that India would struggle during these crises but argued that the country had continued to move forward.

PM Modi’s earlier SRCC visit

PM Modi had earlier visited SRCC in 2013, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. His speech at the college received significant attention, particularly on social media, ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

His latest visit came during the college’s centenary celebrations, where his address focused on young people, India’s development ambitions and the challenges faced by the country.

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India Metro Rail Network May Overtake US in 2 Years

India’s metro rail network has reached 1,170 km across 26 cities. Union minister Manohar Lal said the country could overtake the US in network length within two years.

Published

18 hours ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

Manohar Lal Khattar

India is on track to become the country with the second-largest metro rail network in the world after China, with Union Minister Manohar Lal saying the country could overtake the United States within the next two years.

India’s metro rail network has now expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities. The network is only 216 km shorter than the US metro rail network, which stands at 1,386 km, according to figures cited by the minister.

India’s metro network expands rapidly

Speaking after the inauguration of an extended metro service in Indore, Manohar Lal highlighted the pace at which metro connectivity has grown in India.

He said metro services were operational across just 245 km in five cities when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. The network has since expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities.

The minister said India could overtake the US in terms of metro rail network length in the next two years and become the world’s second-largest country in this segment after China.

China currently has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines, according to the figures cited by the minister.

Indore metro extension inaugurated

The minister made the remarks after inaugurating an extended section of the Indore metro. The project was built at a cost of around Rs 2,850 crore.

The Indore metro was earlier operating commercially on a six-km stretch between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3 stations. Following the extension, the service will operate on a 17-km route between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the metro service would mark a new phase in Indore’s development. He also said the network would eventually be extended to Ujjain and other nearby areas.

India’s metro rail network: Key figures

  • India currently has 1,170 km of operational metro rail network.
  • Metro services are operational across 26 cities.
  • The US has around 1,386 km of metro rail network.
  • India is currently 216 km behind the US.
  • China has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines.
  • India’s operational network stood at 245 km across five cities in 2014.

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India News

PM Modi returns to SRCC after 13 years, revisits 2013 glass full speech

PM Narendra Modi returned to SRCC after 13 years for its centenary celebrations, revisiting themes from his landmark 2013 address.

Published

19 hours ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on Saturday, 13 years after his previous visit to the institution as Gujarat chief minister. 

His latest visit came as SRCC marked its centenary celebrations. Modi’s 2013 address at the college had attracted significant attention as he spoke about India’s youth, governance and the country’s demographic potential.

In 2013, Modi was Gujarat chief minister and had not yet been named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. He returned to the same campus this year as Prime Minister, having completed 12 years as Prime Minister and serving his third consecutive term. 

What PM Modi said at SRCC in 2013

The 2013 lecture was titled Emerging Business Models in the Global Scenario. The address also covered governance and India’s young population.

He described India’s youth as a source of national strength rather than simply a group of new-age voters. He also highlighted India’s demographic advantage and argued that the country needed to make better use of its young population.

One of the notable moments from the speech involved a glass of water.  Modi contrasted the conventional descriptions of a glass as half full or half empty and said he viewed it as full, with half containing water and the other half air.

The speech also included his remarks on technology and young Indians. Referring to an anecdote from a visit to Taiwan, Modi used the phrase “mouse-charmers” to describe Indians using computers and suggested that young Indians had the ability to influence the world through technology.

‘Minimum government, maximum governance’

Modi’s 2013 address also touched on governance. He spoke about the role of government and the need for better governance.

He also spoke about India’s potential in the 21st century. 

Modi returns as PM for SRCC centenary

The September 5 visit coincided with Teachers’ Day and SRCC’s 100th anniversary. The Prime Minister’s Office had announced that Modi would participate in the college’s centenary celebrations and address the gathering. SRCC was established in 1926 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Shri Ram.

Earlier this year, Modi also met the SRCC governing body at his residence in April in connection with the college’s centenary celebrations and released a commemorative postage stamp marking the occasion. 

The return to SRCC came 13 years after his 2013 appearance at the college, when he addressed students as Gujarat chief minister.

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