Why the new Mohan Bhagwat and Rahul Gandhi remind me of SRK and Big B’s Mohabbatein
I am sure you all remember Mohabbatein, a Bollywood movie starring Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, which was released in 2000.
In the movie, Narayan Shankar (Amitabh Bachchan) is a strict college principal who is absolutely against love, and is all about (read this in Bachchan’s iconic voice) ‘parampara’ (tradition), ‘prathishtha’ (dignity), and ‘anushashan’ (discipline). And then enters Raj Aryan Malhotra (Shah Rukh Khan), who is the complete opposite. He believes in love and is about breaking rules.
In real life, I have always seen Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat as that strict Narayan, who cares deeply about Hindu traditions and the country’s moral consciousness on the basis of religion. The RSS is known to put a lot of emphasis on discipline among its cadre.
However, the Sangh is also known for intolerance towards India’s minority communities. Bhagwat, indeed, is as intimidating as Narayan Shankar. Till entered Rahul Gandhi 2.0.
Now, this hero also loves breaking rules and is a believer of love (at least this is what he claims nowadays).
Two months ago, Rahul broke convention in the Parliament just to give a message of love. On July 20, he shocked the whole country by hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, and then winking at one of his colleagues.
Because I am obsessed with Bollywood, at that moment, I was reminded of Shah Rukh Khan with a big dhol singing ‘duniya mein kitni hai nafratein, fir bhi dilon mein hai chahtein’.
“You people may have hatred against me, you may abuse me, call me Pappu, but I have no hatred against you,” Rahul said, right before he walked up to the PM.
We do not know about PM Modi and the BJP, but Rahul’s message of love seems to have hit the right chord with Bhagwat.
In the past few weeks, we read reports that the RSS may send an invite to Rahul for the Sangh’s three-day ‘outreach’ programme in Delhi.
During the event, Bhagwat, in rare praise, acknowledged the role played by the Congress in the struggle for India’s independence.
And then, Bhagwat surprised us all with talks of the Sangh’s idea of acceptance, love and social reforms. “We are not against Muslims,” said Bhagwat, adding that a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ did not mean it had no space for Muslims.
Indeed, through his speeches at the conclave, with his comments not just on political matters, but on issues such as inter-caste marriages and homosexuality, Bhagwat came across as a progressive and logical man, and managed to show a liberal face of the RSS, different from its hardcore Hindu image.
Now, I am sure many analysts would point out the agenda and the politics behind his statements.
I also understand that our real life is very different from a typical Bollywood movie, which generally has a happy ending.
But for now, let’s rejoice in this moment and appreciate Mohan Bhagwat for his recent remarks. Amid the current trend of hate speeches, below-the-belt potshots and the intolerance debate, let’s savor this filmy moment as a victory of Raj Aryan’s message — Love triumphs over all!