Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 27: The economic system in the country should be transformed from the present socialist model to one based on religion and guided by religious codes, said Arun Ojha, national convener of the Swadesi Jagran Manch (SJM), here. He was speaking at KIIT Campus, Friday, marking the 12th national meet of the organization.
SJM, the economic wing of the Sangh Parivar that campaigns against foreign direct investment (FDI) flow into the country and against liberalization, was recently in news for criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of ‘Make in India’. He was then asked by the Parivaar not to make any more critical comment on the government’s policies.
SJM volunteers, who came from as far as Jammu, Haryana and Delhi, was told by Ojha, “Our religion doesn’t restrict us from amassing wealth. In fact, our ancestors are known for saving money.” He quoted legendary poet Mathili Sharan Gupt in support of his view. He added, “The accumulated wealth must be distributed, although renunciation of wealth is a myth being spread by modern people.”
Off the stage, when Orissa Post asked Ojha if he had any alternative religious economic model, he replied, “Economic models are all for experts to explain, we want a law based on sarbjan sukhay.” Asked if it’s a sort of written law from where a model can be drawn, he answered in the negative.
Earlier, Anshuman Tiwari, editor of India Today, addressed the conference and recommended that India create more opportunities for its entrepreneurs and activate market competition. “Create space for an entrepreneur to fail,” he said. “Today, 90 per cent of the products that the country import from China do not require technological advancement for making them at home. But a proper system and management is a must. And this is where India is lagging,” Tiwari said.
However, he faced strong criticism from Ojha who said competition in any form cannot be healthy and only home -grown industry should be allowed.
In between the session, SJM volunteers shouted slogans such as “Vande Matram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. The session was attended by several swamis and sadhus wearing saffron and had Swami Pragyanand as its chief guest.
