New Delhi, Oct 24: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks on regime change, saying India needs a change of government through democratic means. He accused Bhagwat of ignoring the concerns of young people, unemployment, education and other major issues facing the country.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, Sibal said the people of India wanted political change through peaceful and democratic processes. He added that the timing and outcome of such a change would depend on future developments.
Kapil Sibal Questions Bhagwat’s Comparison with Other Countries
Sibal expressed surprise at Bhagwat’s comparison of calls for regime change in India with recent political developments in Bangladesh, Nepal, France and Albania.
Bhagwat had said that protests seeking regime change often fail to address fundamental problems and may increase social divisions. He also warned that political groups could use such movements to serve their own interests.
Responding to these remarks, Sibal said India’s demand for political change was different because it focused on democratic elections rather than violent protests.
He pointed to the peaceful demonstrations held by young people at Jantar Mantar, saying the protesters did not carry weapons or stones and had also undertaken a hunger strike.
Sibal Raises Questions Over Jantar Mantar Protest Violence
The Rajya Sabha MP alleged that outside agencies were responsible for any violence associated with the protest. He also questioned how a truck carrying stones reached the protest site.
Sibal said the incident required an investigation and raised questions about the role of the police and law enforcement authorities under the Union government’s control through the Lieutenant Governor.
However, these claims were allegations made by Sibal during the press conference.
Sibal Accuses RSS of Supporting Earlier Political Change
Sibal also questioned the RSS’s position on regime change, alleging that the organisation had supported Arvind Kejriwal in the past and that this contributed to the fall of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
He said Narendra Modi came to power through the electoral process and argued that a change in government through elections was a legitimate democratic demand.
Sibal challenged Bhagwat’s claim that changing a government would not necessarily resolve fundamental problems. He asked why the RSS had supported political change in earlier circumstances if it believed such changes could not improve the situation.
Unemployment and Education Are Major Concerns, Says Sibal
Sibal accused Bhagwat of avoiding important domestic issues, including unemployment, school education and the lack of adequate educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
He also referred to protests by the Cockroach Janata Party over school education and alleged that the RSS had remained silent because it benefited from the BJP-led government.
The MP further raised concerns about alleged voter-list manipulation, developments along the Arunachal Pradesh and eastern Ladakh borders, and the detention of young people, academics and opposition leaders.
Questioning claims about foreign forces attempting to destabilise India, Sibal said unemployment and limited access to education were among the country’s most pressing challenges.
He stressed that young people needed better employment prospects and more opportunities to pursue education.
Sibal Criticises Government Over Arunachal Border Situation
Sibal also criticised the government over remarks attributed to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur regarding face-offs at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh.
Referring to the reported statement that the situation continued, Sibal questioned the government’s response to the border developments.
He argued that removing a statement from YouTube would not resolve concerns about alleged occupation of territory. He also criticised the government over what he described as a lack of bargaining power in dealing with the situation.
Kapil Sibal Questions India-US Diplomatic Engagement
Sibal also raised concerns over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India and the circumstances surrounding the meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister.
He described the diplomatic engagement as demeaning and questioned why the Indian minister had to travel to Mumbai for the meeting.
Sibal also referred to an announcement by Rubio that 99 per cent of a trade deal had been completed, using the episode to criticise the government’s handling of diplomatic relations.
Bhagwat Warns Against Regime Change Movements
Bhagwat made his remarks during the RSS’s annual Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur on Tuesday. He said movements seeking regime change often fail to deliver the promised improvements and can deepen divisions within society.
Citing developments in Bangladesh, Nepal, France and Albania, the RSS chief argued that political forces sometimes use such movements to advance their own interests rather than solve underlying problems.
The exchange has highlighted a political debate over democratic change, public protests, governance and the challenges facing India. While Bhagwat warned against regime change movements, Sibal maintained that a change of government through peaceful democratic means remained a legitimate expression of public opinion.
