The BJP government has been functioning under the shadow of the Sangh Parivar ever since it came to power in March ... It is in this context that the joint statement criticising forces close to the BJP, that had emanated from Coordination Committee meeting, must be read. "Sometimes, negative utterances and positions by certain elements perceived to be close to the nucleus of our coalition, BJP, have also undermined the prestige of the government ... " It was the closest that the Vajpayee government has got to telling the Sangh Parivar to get off its back. Indeed, it openly and unequivocally observed that "the public utterances and postures" of the various constituents of the Parivar, have damaged the image of the government and cast a shadow on its "numerous achievements".

The Government's disquiet over the stance of organisations like the Bajrang Dal and the VHP ... Vajpayee's unprecedented fast and address to the nation on Martyrs' Day ... His intention to protect all sections of the people, irrespective of gender, caste and faith ... All of this is commendable. But will the more extremist elements in the Sangh Parivar oblige Vajpayee, by making themselves scarce or at least by adopting a more muted profile? Unlikely, going by the public statements of various leaders ... Reining in the ... the Sangh Parivar would seem a difficult, if not impossible, task. After all, correction can come only when there is a degree of self-awareness.