'Arrogance Stopped at 240': RSS' Indresh Kumar Sparks Controversy With His Statements

New Delhi: A massive controversy has erupted following RSS leader Indresh Kumar's scathing criticism of the BJP, attributing the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to what he described as the party's 'arrogance'. Days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that a true 'sevak' does not have arrogance and serves the people by maintaining 'dignity', senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar took a veiled dig at the ruling BJP, saying Lord Ram limited those with 'ahankar' to just '241 seats' (BJP won 240 seats)  and those who were 'anti-Ram' 'stopped at 234'. He made the remarks referring to the BJP and the INDI alliance's performance in the Lok Sabha Election Result 2024.

What Indresh Kumar Said?

Speaking at the 'Ramrath Ayodhya Yatra Darshan Poojan Samaroh' at Kanota near Jaipur, the RSS national executive member did not mention the rivals by name but suggested that the poll outcome reflected their attitudes. "The party which did the bhakti (of lord Ram) but became arrogant was stopped at 241 but it was made the biggest party," he said, in an apparent reference to Narendra Modi-led BJP which got 240 seats in the Lok Sabha seats.

"And those who had no faith in Ram, they together were stopped at 234," he said, apparently referring to the INDI bloc. "See the 'Vidhan' of Ram Rajya in democracy; those who did 'Bhakti (worshipped) of Ram but gradually turned arrogant, that party emerged as the biggest party, but the vote and power that should have been given was stopped by God due to their arrogance," he said.

"Those who opposed Ram, none of them was given power. Even all of them together were made number two. God's justice is true and enjoyable. Those who worship Ram should be humble and those who oppose Ram, the Lord himself dealt with them," he said.  

He said Lord Ram does not discriminate and does not punish. "Ram does not make anyone lament. Ram gives justice to everyone. He gives and will keep on giving. Lord Ram was always just and will remain so," he said, adding that Lord Ram protected people and did good to Ravana too.  

‘Let Them Be Happy’

Reacting strongly to Kumar's statement, Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said,"Let him be happy with that...those who are saying this should think about themselves", said HAM president.  

Ram Janmabhoomi Chief Priest Defends BJP

Ram Janmabhoomi's chief priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, remarked that Muslims did not vote for the BJP in the elections at all.  "Indresh Kumar worked for the unity of the Hindus and Muslims so that Muslims vote for the BJP. But he failed miserably and put the blame on the BJP. There is no arrogance. RSS people like Indresh Kumar did not help the BJP in campaigning," the chief priest said. 

BJP's Debacle In Ayodhya

Lallu Singh, the BJP's candidate from Ayodhya, suffered an unexpected defeat to a candidate from the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the recently held elections. This defeat was especially humiliating for the BJP, coming just three months after the highly publicized consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a cornerstone of their electoral campaign. Notably, Singh initially voiced concerns over potential constitutional amendments if the NDA achieved a 400-seat majority, a sentiment echoed by other BJP figures like Arun Govil, who secured victory in Meerut. This narrative gained traction among opposition circles. Analysts believe this narrative played a role in alienating Dalit and underprivileged voters from the BJP, contributing significantly to its defeat in Uttar Pradesh.