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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
When the Sangh became part of Janata Parivar – and was never again the ‘outcast'
On a rainy night in late 1974 in Patna, under flickering street lamps, a small group of university students was on the move as they scrawled with chalk on college walls: 'Indira Hatao, Janata Bachao'. Different party flags fluttered amidst the agitators, with some of them bearing the socialist and Left emblems and others marked with the saffron of the Sangh Parivar. It was here, on the fringes of the Bihar student protests – which ignited Jayaprakash Narayan (JP)'s 'Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution)' Movement – that the RSS first entered the anti-Emergency stir. As historian Rajni Kothari later observed in his memoirs, this student uprising 'mainstreamed the RSS and gave it political legitimacy'. This legitimacy, for most part, was earned by RSS volunteers who faced jail for mobilising people, organising protests and engineering what was then called the 'underground resistance'. The JP Movement began in March 1974, when Bihar students first rose in protest against 'corruption and misgovernance' of the then Congress-led state government. This snowballed into a revolt against 'misrule and authoritarianism' of the Indira Gandhi-led Congress dispensation at the Centre, which got moral and organisational support from JP as well as diverse Opposition outfits, including the socialists, Congress (O), CPI(M), Jana Sangh, and RSS volunteers. Christophe Jaffrelot and Pratinav Anil explain in their book India's First Dictatorship: The Emergency 1975-77 that the RSS's grassroots networks 'provided JP's movement with the discipline and rural penetration it so sorely needed'. It was, perhaps, in appreciation of this organisational strength that JP, when cornered by Left-leaning critics on his alliance with the Sangh, said: 'If RSS is fascist, I am a fascist.' In their book The Brotherhood in Saffron: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Revivalism, Walter Andersen and Sridhar Damle, drawing from archival correspondence, paint the RSS not as a passive outfit but as an active force integrating into the umbrella resistance organisation Lok Sangharsh Samiti (LSS) against the Emergency: 'The grassroots structure of the LSS included many RSS workers… presenting the RSS cadre with an unprecedented opportunity to gain political experience and … establish a working relationship with political leaders.' On November 4, 1974, JP and Nanaji Deshmukh, the seasoned Jana Sangh leader and ex-RSS pracharak, led a massive rally in Patna, demanding political accountability. As police descended on the peaceful gathering with batons, JP, then aged 72, was brutally hit – his collarbone, elbows, and legs shattered by the blows. Nanaji was said to have hurled himself over JP's unconscious body, shielding him from further assaults. Public admiration for JP and Nanaji soared, and for many, it marked the point where the Indira Gandhi government lost the moral mandate to rule the country. When Indira imposed Emergency on June 25, 1975, the RSS was among the first casualties. Four days after JP's arrest, then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras was held at the Nagpur station. The RSS itself was banned on July 4. In subsequent crackdowns, many of the Sangh Parivar's prominent leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Nanaji were put behind bars. Despite being outlawed, the Sangh chose resistance over retreat. Thousands of its swayamsevaks and ABVP cadres courted arrest by joining satyagrahas – protesting not just the organisation's ban, but also the government's broader strike on civil liberties and constitutional rights. As repression intensified, the resistance went underground. RSS volunteers built covert networks to print and circulate banned literature, raised funds to sustain the pushback, and established secret lines of communication between jailed leaders and overground activists. Reporting on the Emergency, The Economist wrote on January 24, 1976: 'In formal terms, the underground is an alliance of four Opposition parties …But the shock troops of the movement come largely from the Jana Sangh and its banned affiliate RSS … (of whom 80,000, including 6,000 full-time party workers, are in prison).' According to RSS publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar, more than 25,000 Sangh workers were arrested under the MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) alone. 'Over 44,000 more were arrested during the agitation. Some swayamsevaks even died during detention. But ultimately, democracy was re-established,' he told The Indian Express. Former RSS ideologue K N Govindacharya, who actively participated in the movement and was known to be close to JP, put the figure of arrested RSS workers at 1.3 lakh. RSS sources said volunteers took risks in city squares and village crossroads alike. In Meerut on August 9, 1975, satyagraha slogans erupted amid festive crowds. On August 15 that year, RSS cadres distributed pamphlets outside the Red Fort in Delhi. RSS activists circulated their underground newspapers – Motherland, Panchajanya – even though the press was tightly gagged. K R Malkani, the editor of Organiser and Motherland, was among the first few journalists arrested during the Emergency. At the same time, the Sangh also courted controversy. Observers point out that RSS chief Deoras wrote at least two letters to Mrs Gandhi from Yerwada jail, in August and November 1975, lauding her Red Fort address and pledging support for her 20-Point plan if the ban on the RSS was eased. There were also allegations that some RSS detainees wrote apology letters to the government even as a majority refused to buckle under pressure. Some critics like A G Noorani accused Sangh functionaries of 'grovelling before the Congress dispensation'. RSS sympathisers, however, claim it was a calculated strategy, aimed not at undermining democracy, but retrieving institutional legitimacy and securing the release of imprisoned volunteers. 'Sangh workers were in jail, yet they continued the struggle. Also, it would be a good thing to come out of jail and continue the agitation. Had Sangh been in a compromising mood, it would not have joined the movement itself,' Ambekar says. As regards Deoras's letters, many RSS sympathisers draw a parallel with Mahatma Gandhi's own letter to the Viceroy in his early days of defiance. 'It was an act of a guardian who was worried about his wards. Thousands of ordinary workers were rotting in jails and their families were suffering. The letters were an attempt to open dialogue,' Govindacharya told The Indian Express. He also points out that RSS critics never mention how Deoras rejected Mrs Gandhi's offer to revoke the ban on the RSS in exchange for the Jana Sangh not participating in the elections post-Emergency. Ambekar says, 'The letters of Deoras ji should be looked at comprehensively and in the right perspective… But did RSS withdraw from the movement? A decisive battle was waged and the Emergency was defeated – and a new government was formed.' However, these rows and the refusal of Jana Sangh leaders to dissociate from the RSS even as they joined the Janata Party government following the Emergency were said to have even changed JP's sympathetic approach towards the RSS. In his book The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics, Jaffrelot writes that JP felt 'used' and felt that the ideological divergence between his Gandhian socialism and Hindutva could not be papered over indefinitely. Ambekar, however, denies it. 'Jayaprakash ji always knew what the Jana Sangh was. These things had been discussed beforehand. If at all he was disappointed, he must have been so with the people who forced the Jana Sangh to walk out of the government,' he says. Yet, the Emergency altered the RSS's trajectory. The Sangh emerged with new-found credibility, its contributions finally recognised by broad swathes of Indian society and political class. Once ostracised in early years of the Republic for its association with Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, the RSS now joined national discourse as a legitimate player. Barely three years after Emergency, its political wing BJP was born; the BJP under Narendra Modi is now into its third consecutive term in power.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Solar surge ahead for RE developers
PETALING JAYA: Renewable energy (RE) developers who were unsuccessful in the bid for the large-scale solar (LSS) projects in the previous programmes could benefit under LSS5+ where the requirement for bumiputra participation rate is set higher. Kenanga Research sees strong chances for companies like Cypark Resources Bhd , Malakoff Corp Bhd , SD Guthrie Bhd , Sunview Group Bhd , JAKS Resources Bhd and Solarvest Holdings Bhd to secure LSS5+ awards, given their previous unsuccessful bids in LSS5 and their likely continued interest in the programme. 'The higher bumiputra participation this time (versus only 25% in LSS5), should improve the chances for Malakoff, Cypark and SD Guthrie,' the research house noted in a sector report. Kenanga Research believes up for grabs are sizeable allocations of up to 500MW (high versus LSS5 of up to 30MW) and assuming awards mirror the 100MW blocks seen in LSS5, it estimates around 15 awards remain to be won. 'With the current solar panel prices, we expect winning tariffs to land between 14 sen/kWh and 18 sen/kWh, supporting a project internal rate of return (IRR) of roughly 8%,' said the research house. The other big winners of the LSS5+ will be the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractors like Solarvest. Kenanga Research stated that solar EPCC players' order books are hitting all-time highs as they race to deliver Corporate Green Power Programme projects before the end-2025 deadline. At the same time, 4GW worth of LSS5 and LSS5+ contracts are about to hit the market, with completions targeted by end-2027, unlocking at least RM10bil in solar EPCC value, it stated. The research house projected the average price of solar modules to dip slightly as Tier-1 manufacturers flood the market. 'Given the low IRR of about 8% in LSS jobs and rising cost risks, we remain bullish on EPCC contractors over asset owners. 'In this space, we see market leader, Solarvest, stands out as a key beneficiary, expected to grab at least 30% of the EPCC market share,' Kenanga Research stated. Its top sector picks, however, are niche players like Pekat Group Bhd and Swift Energy Bhd, which stand out as profitability-focused RE players and offer cheap proxies to the RE play. RHB Research also favours the EPCC space within the RE sector, expecting the announcement of shortlisted bidders for LSS5+, which will introduce an additional 2GW, to take place in the coming months. The timeline will allow asset owners to further take advantage of the currently low solar panel prices – a trend that is expected to continue through to the end of the year. LSS6 is also anticipated to be launched in the second quarter of 2025, potentially adding another 2 GW of capacity. Both Kenanga Research and RHB Research are 'overweight' on the RE and power utility sectors.
Focus Malaysia
17-06-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Bullish outlook for EPCC players as RM10bil in solar projects near launch
KENANGA Research (Kenanga) believes many developers who were unsuccessful in the Fifth Large Scale Solar programme (LSS5) will pivot to LSS5+ as an alternative path for project development. Asset owners from previous LSS rounds, with proven track records, are well-positioned to benefit. 'We see strong chances for CYPARK, MALAKOF, SDG, SUNVIEW, JAKS, and SLVEST to secure awards given their previous unsuccessful bids in LSS5 and their likely continued interest in the programme,' said Kenanga. But with a likely higher Bumiputera participation this time, this should improve the chances for the former three, such as MALAKOF, CYPARK and SDG. 'Up for grabs are sizable allocations of up to 500MW, which could strain balance sheets, though this could be surmounted via Bumiputera-led joint ventures in our view,' said Kenanga. Assuming awards mirror the 100MW blocks seen in LSS5, Kenanga estimates around 15 awards remain up for grabs. With the current solar panel prices, Kenanga expects winning tariffs to land between RM0.14 per kWh and RM0.18 per kWh, supporting a project IRR of roughly 8%. Order books are hitting all-time highs as solar EPCC players race to deliver Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) projects before the end-2025 deadline. At the same time, 4GW worth of LSS5 and LSS5+ contracts are about to hit the market, with completions targeted by end-2027, unlocking at least RM10 bil in solar EPCC value. Kenanga projects average module prices to dip slightly as Tier-1 manufacturers flood the market. Still, with weaker solar manufacturers exiting, a price rebound is possible, though not likely in 2025. Given the low IRR of ~8% in LSS jobs and rising cost risks, Kenanga remain bullish on EPCC contractors over asset owners. 'In this space, we see market leader SLVEST stands out as a key beneficiary, expected to grab at least 30% of the EPCC market share,' said Kenanga. Kenanga's sector top picks are niche players like PEKAT and SET that stand out as profitability-focused RE players, offering cheap proxies to the RE play. With contract awards expected to accelerate in the coming months and management maintaining a conservative outlook, upside surprises remain on the table. PEKAT stands out for its focus on high-margin residential and commercial rooftop solar projects but the game changer here is its newly acquired switchgear business. As the top four MV switchgear supplier to TNB, EPE is set to ride on TNB's massive RP4 capital expenditure with further upside from leveraging on PEKAT's network to capture a larger slice of private sector deals like DCs. SET, the only certified player in explosion proof solar PV systems in ASEAN, is strategically positioned to ride the region's growing focus on RE within the O&G up-cycle. Regional giants (PTTEP, PTSC, Pertamina) are ramping up aggressively driven by favourable crude oil prices with net-zero commitment by 2050 guaranteeing continued green investments. —June 17, 2025 Main image: AFP Photo
North Wales Chronicle
13-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor is most prepared city in Wales for zombie apocalypse
The city has topped the list as the UK's most survival-ready city, with more people searching for emergency supplies than anywhere else in the country. The research is especially fitting as director Danny Boyle, who graduated from Bangor University in 1978 with a degree in English and drama, is set to release 28 Years Later, the latest instalment in the iconic zombie film series. The study, carried out by LSS, found that in the year to April 2025, there were 553 searches per 10,000 people in Bangor for terms such as survival kit, bug out bag, and emergency kit – the highest rate in the UK. Gary Noble, from LSS, said: "A zombie apocalypse, while great on screen, in books, and in video games, would be a disaster for humanity, and thankfully, will never happen. "While the results are a bit tongue in cheek, it's great to see people taking serious steps to protect themselves though, should an emergency happen." Wrexham came second with 207 searches per 10,000 people, while Newport placed third with 165. In terms of total search volume, Cardiff led the way with an average of 4,350 searches per month, followed by Swansea with 3,860 and Wrexham with 2,800. Mr Noble said: "Having a survival kit, food supplies, medical supplies, and even a bug out bag in case you need to dash quickly, are all smart things to have on hand. "While you might not need them to escape a zombie horde, they're great to have in case of an injury, a power cut, or an emergency last minute trip to support a loved one." LSS also submitted Freedom of Information requests to councils across the UK to see if any had official plans for a zombie outbreak – none did. READ MORE: European surgeons visit Ysbyty Gwynedd to learn robotic knee surgery techniques Dorset Council responded: "The concept of a zombie apocalypse was referenced tongue in cheek in an article explaining what the emergency planning team do, which commenced 'Have you ever wondered what the emergency planning team do? "The rumours of them hiding away in a darkened bunker drawing up plans of how to respond to the end of the world or a zombie apocalypse are (largely) untrue. "Although we do have a bunker!'" Nationally, searches for survival kit have increased by 236 per cent over the past year.
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Newport one of cities most ready for zombie apocalypse
Recent research by LSS revealed the city had 165 searches per 10,000 people for survival kits and related items from May 2024 to April 2025. This placed Newport third in Wales, behind Bangor and Wrexham. In terms of the sheer number of searches, Newport averaged 2,640 monthly, placing it fourth. Across the UK, searches for survival gear have surged by 236 per cent in the past year. This increase comes amid the release of the film 28 Years Later and the continued popularity of apocalypse-themed shows like The Last of Us and The Walking Dead. Despite the rising interest in survival gear, a Freedom of Information request by LSS revealed no UK council has plans for a zombie apocalypse. The findings were described as 'tongue-in-cheek', but LSS noted that they reflect a 'healthy mentality' towards staying safe in emergencies.
