Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Sarasanghachalak (Press Trust of India photo)
On a day when protests in Parliament peaked over the conversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism, top leaders from the ruling party met with their party's ideological mentors, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS and reportedly agreed that controversial statements must be avoided to ensure the focus is not shifted from the PM's agenda of economic reform.
Ministers like Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj were at the session held at the home of cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari, known for his proximity to the top rung of the RSS, which was represented by Suresh Soni and Bhaiyyaji Joshi. The BJP president Amit Shah was also present. Party leaders described this interaction as a "routine coordination meeting".
Both the BJP and the RSS agreed on an awareness campaign for the need for an anti-conversion law, said sources.
They also decided to carry out another campaign - titled
pol khol - to highlight the benefits of the bills that have been blocked in Parliament by Opposition parties in the winter session.
In Parliament, the opposition attacked the government for a weekend speech by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who described India as "a Hindu nation", and said "we will bring back those who have lost their way." (
Forget 56-Inch Chest, Show Some Heart, Opposition Says to PM)
The controversy over whether minorities are being forced to convert to Hinduism has paralysed the Upper House or Rajya Sabha for days, stalling the government's attempts to push through important legislation. The government is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and needs the support of the Opposition. Without that, it will have to resort to using an ordinance or executive order to liberalise the insurance sector by raising the cap from 26 to 49 percent on foreign investment.
The PM has at private sessions sternly warned law-makers from his party to back off from controversial issues like the conversion campaign that is being led by hard-liners affiliated to the BJP, he has publicly not commented on the controversy, ignoring the opposition's demand for a statement by him in Parliament. (
'Don't Cross Lakshman Rekha': PM Modi's Warning to BJP Lawmakers)
The BJP said over the weekend that it does not support forced religious conversions and called for an anti-conversion law.