The Modi-RSS government has a simply political formula. Divide and distract the Nation with meaningless issues so that they and their friends can capture complete control over every asset of the Indian people. The tragic result of this poisonous strategy was seen in Nagpur last week. The Orange City is well-known for peaceful coexistence among the many diverse communities that have made it their home. This co-existence was threatened last week as riots erupted in Nagpur.

Aurangzeb died over 300 years ago. The Mughal empire he ruled over is long since gone. But if you believe the propaganda spread by the RSS and their many poisonous wings, hating Aurangzeb and extracting revenge for his atrocities is the most important issues for the Country. They spread this vicious agenda through movies, the ranting of their spokespersons, a puppet media, and an army of social media trolls. The collective influence of this industry of hate is that this is the only issue a large number of misguided people hear. Then at an appropriate time, these wings of the RSS create a situation where the only outcome is a fight between otherwise peace-loving communities.

The communities where these riots happen pay a heavy price. They suffer burning streets, an environment of hate and fear, damaged lives, lost livelihoods, and a torn social fabric. Their children live in fear, their youth lose jobs, their neighborhoods are destroyed, and they stop trusting their neighbors. This is exactly what the RSS and Modi want. In this environment of fear, the only concern of the people becomes security from an imagined enemy. Everyday issues such as poverty, unemployment, the education of children, healthcare for the aged, the security of farmers, the dignity of women, and the development of our communities become marginalized. In their place, identity, hate, and anger become the basis of our politics. It is this fear that Modi exploits to retain his grip over our politics.

We, as Congress workers, must resist this capture of the Indian psyche in every way possible. We must be among the people, heal their wounds, rebuild communities, and vaccinate out people against the virus of hate that the RSS is attempting to infect them with. This is the work of every true Congress worker today.

Jai Congress. Jai Hind. Jai Jagat.