Those who challege Indianness are 'intellectuals': Singh

In the backdrop of the raging JNU row, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said the country is going through a crisis of values as those who challenge Indianness are considered intellectuals while those speaking for it are labelled as fools.
"We are going through a crisis of values. This is a time when those who talk about 'Bharatiyata' (Indianness) are labelled as fools. While those challenging Indianness are termed as intellectuals," said the Minister of State in the PMO.
"Is this situation a paradox or a perversion?" he questioned and added that humility is considered weakness and oppressors are considered brave.

Singh's comments come amid a row over the arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with an event organised on the campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. There were allegations that anti-India slogans were raised during the event.
The minister also hit out at the critics of the government on debate over tolerance saying, "Can tolerance be virtue of those who themselves do not have the strength to be tolerant?"
He said governments would come and go, "but can we afford a question mark on the very existence of mother India itself?"

Singh was speaking at an event organised by J&K study circle, a think-tank considered close to RSS, on Kashmiri saint-philosopher Acharya Abhinavagupta where Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and British Parliamentarian Bob Blackman were present.

He also referred to an incident where an American President when asked a question about self-determination in Atlanta, responded by saying it is a closed chapter.
Singh justified the Congress' decision to enter into an
electoral pact with the Left in West Bengal whereas fighting against them in Kerala, saying this is a question of regional leadership deciding to tie-up with like-minded parties.
"So, therefore, there is no contradiction as such. In West Bengal, the way (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee has conducted herself..Therefore...There is a reason for Congress party to look for viable option and Left is the viable option in West Bengal," he added.

On whether the "delay" in Rahul Gandhi taking over as Congress president is taking a toll on the party's rank and file, Singh said, "No one is opposing Rahul Gandhi as such. It depends on when the decision (on his taking over) is taken. The decision will be taken by Congress president".