Rajasthan: Governor Kalraj Mishra’s book promotes BJP, makes an appeal to join the party | Jaipur News
Even as the guv is being accused of using the Raj Bhavan to promote a political party, chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Speaker CP Joshi have come under fire for jointly launching the book with Mishra.
The content which sparked a major controversy is on page number 116 in the form of a party poster. The poster has Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the left and Union home minister Amit Shah on the right with a message that reads, “Let’s support the movement to build a NEW INDIA. Join the party and strengthen our hands in this mission. EK BHARAT, SHRESHTHA BHARAT”.
The initial chapters of the book deal with the impact of RSS and its leaders on him. Page number 17 of the book mentions that Mishra during his childhood was greatly influenced by the RSS ideologue Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. “Mishra till today gave credit to Guruji (Golwalkar) for shaping his life,” says the book. The next page has a picture of Mishra greeting present RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Stating that RSS is trained and disciplined like the armed forces, the author quotes former Supreme Court Judge KT Thomas, “After the Constitution and the Indian Army, only RSS is capable to protect the nation.” The book also briefly talks about ‘Hindutva: Ek Jeevan Sheli (A way of life)’. Mishra is quoted boasting about Hindutva the form of life which can accommodate every other form of life.
The researcher of the book, Sujata Taknet, told TOI that she proposed the idea about the book to Mishra during the first lockdown last year considering his multifaceted personality — political and social activist, economist and administrator. The visually heavy book has over 500 photographs collected from several libraries, facilitated by the governor’s house for the said purpose.
The biography was prepared 3-4 months ago and the e- copy of the book was sent to PM Modi, all cabinet ministers, opposition leaders and bureaucrats. The foreword of the book has been written by PM Modi. Those commenting on the book include former PM Manmohan Singh, Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, Dhirendra Pal Singh (UGC, chairman), Rajiv Kumar (vice-chairman of Niti Ayog) Further, the book has used a painting of noted artist MF Hussain without giving him any credit in a violation of copyright.
Reacting to the row, transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said that he didn’t see any controversy in the issue nor between the Congress and BJP. “On a positive note, everyone has to admit that whether you become PM, CM or governor, it is because of your party. Mishra has had affiliations with the RSS and BJP and its mention in the biography is the most obvious thing,” said the minister, who defended the launch of the book by the CM. “Gehlot went for the launch of the biography and it is not necessary that one should know the contents,” he said.
