RSS – It has come a full circle

RSS – It has come a full circle

 RSS, in its centenary year 1925 – 2025 has come full circle. The speeches of RSS Elite, including Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, have set the ball in motion setting the agenda of the New India that is Bharat. Will it turn out to be good or bad? It is hard to say at this juncture as the ideas being floated, in the guise or pretext of traditional wisdom of India as enshrined and stipulated in the ancient Hindu texts, are too controversial which tend to create confusion, to my mind, rather than putting the things in perspective conforming to cardinal principles of the Constitution of India. RSS pretends to be a non-political organization but the ground reality presents something else. The GOI under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi in Delhi does not leave things unsaid and fully back the agenda of its mentors in Nagpur, RSS. Obviously, these loud pronouncements both of the RSS and the GOI, according the political and socio-cultural circles, tend to create doubts and misgivings in the minds of ‘We the people of India’ about the real motivations with regard to the ‘secular, democratic’ edifice of the country and the lofty agenda of ‘Samrasta’ which is propended by RSS with a view to reform the Hindu society and integrate the so-

called dalits, the untouchables which are placed outside the Chatur-Varna Dharma of Manu. I have been a votary of ‘Equitable Social Order’ and the ‘Samrasta Agenda’ of RSS as a born Hindu. I stand for an inclusive and integrated Hindu society under constitutional norms of Constitution of India but not the principles ‘Graded Inequality’ of the Hindu Shastras. As a well-meaning Bhartiya, I list here a couple of inputs which RSS should consider in its centenary year, if they are serious to serve, preserve and save India and transform its socio-cultural order. I write this not as an intellectual or an analyst but as an ordinary citizen –

·     -  Profess and strengthen secular and democratic credentials of the Constitution of India without any reservations and ‘ifs and buts,  without explanatory assertions, in terms of the so called ancient values, which tend to create confusion and doubts in the mind and psyche of the masses belonging particularly to the minority communities and socially weaker sections of the society.

·      Recognize, with due respect and accommodation, minority communities particularly Muslims, if we want to ward off the dangerous of any ‘Na-Pakistan’ to happen again. No one can afford to keep 20% of the population (Muslims) of our country disgruntled and segregated.

·      Hindus society is required to be reformed and transformed to integrate about 25% of the population (SCs and STs) with the main stream of the society as intended in the Samrasta Agenda of RSS. But mere lip service would not do. RSS should take the lead to shed the past, the so called traditional values enshrined in the texts like Manusmiriti. RSS would have to make its stand and thought clear in this regard. There is no harm in doing so: the sooner the better. Why dalits should convert to Islam and Christianity if they get their due space and respect in the Hindu fold in which they were born? I firmly believe that generally one remains in the faith in which one born is born. Conversion is an aberration. No one, I am sorry to say, including Mahatma Gandhi took serious note of the caste system of the Hindus which is a bane of the society at large. RSS should come forward whole heartedly to eradicate caste. The Hindu society would automatically become healthy.

·      How can we do this? My humble suggestions are – Reserve 20% vacancies of Safai Karamcharies (Menial work) for caste Hindus and even Muslims – Encourage inter-caste and even inter-religion marriages by providing for suitable government jobs to one of

spouses – Reserve seats for dalits in RSS run schools and colleges not only for students but also for the teaching faculties – Mandir Purohits/Pujaries should be appointed not on the basis of birth but on the basis of training and education and alsopassing of examinations. These are some of the basic things which may be considered and the Samrasta Agenda should be taken forward.

·      The last but not the least discourage and stop the alleged RSS/BJP cadres from willfully denigrating and undermining role and legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar, if one goes by the social media, particularly with regard to his status as father of the Indian Constitution. The Andh-Bhagats are beating the drum of B.N. Rau which is not only shameful but immoral. Make RSS’s position clear and loud on Reservations for SCs and STs by reiterating it clearly and advise the alleged Swayamsewaks to desist from spreading falsehoods and half-truths.

I have no doubt in my mind that RSS is a strong and well managed outfit which is here to stay and we are to live with it. I as a non-conformist Hindu wish to see a reformed and transformed Indian society in which ‘We the people of India’ – an inclusive society- live in complete peace and harmony to our mutual advantage and benefit. Many of my friends and readers both in the RSS/BJP circles and also in the opposite camps may not like what I have said. But I say this with conviction for the larger good. With a view to list my state of mind, I quote from Allama Iqbal -

Hawaida  Aaj Apne Zakhm-e-Pinhan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
Lahoo Ro Ro Ke Mehfil Ko Gulistan Kar Ke Chorun Ga

(I will surely exhibit all my hidden wounds today
I will surely change assembly to a garden with blood‐mixed tears)

Jalana Hai Mujhe Har Shama-e-Dil Ko Souz-e-Pinhan Se
Teri Tareek Raaton Mein Charaghan Kar Ke Chorun Ga

(I have to light every heart’s candle with hidden pathos
I will surely create bright illumination in your darkness)

Parona Aik Hi Tasbeeh Mein In Bikhare Danon Ko
Jo Muskhil Hai, To Iss Mushkil Ki Asan Kar Ke Chorun Ga

(If stringing these scattered pearls in a single rosary
Is difficult, I will surely make this difficult task easy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 12

 

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 12

Ekta Diwas – October 31 - National Unity Day (राष्ट्रीय एकता दिवस) is celebrated in India on 31 October. It was introduced by the in 2014 by the Government of PM Narendra Modi. The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel who had a major role in the political integration of India. The official statement for National Unity Day by the Home Ministry of India cites that the National Unity Day "will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our

nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country." We take a pledge, just as a routine ritual, which reads like this “I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserving the unity, integrity, and security of the nation and also strive hard to spread this message among my fellow countrymen. I take this pledge in the spirit of the unification of my country which was made possible by the vision and actions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to make my own contribution to ensure the internal security of my country.”

Sardar Patel was a great leader of India. There are no two opinions about this. The objectives of the National Unity Day are lofty and important for the very existence of India that is Bharat. But the sad aspect of all this is that those who did not like or own Sardar Patel because of his stern views and actions on communal outfits are playing divisive politics criticizing PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Congress Party exactly working against the very ideals of ‘preserving the unity, integrity and security of the nation’, to my mind. These political stunts on these important National Days must stop forthwith, if we are really interested in remembering great leaders like Sardar Patel.

Yet another sad aspect of the day is – PM Indira Gandhi was also murdered on 31 October 1984. She was assassinated by two of her bodyguards, both of whom were Sikh fundamentalists seeking retribution for the events at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in June of that fateful year. Indira Gandhi was a leader of our country and beyond by her own right. She also stood for, like Sardar Patel, unity, integrity and security of the country. It seems GOI has totally ignored her and negated her sacrifice for the very lofty

ideals of the National Unity Day. It is very unfortunate. On the other hand, the culprits of the dastardly and barbaric riots targeting the Sikh community in Delhi and elsewhere in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s assassination could not be brought to book to the satisfaction of the affected families of innocent Sikhs and the Sikh community at large by any of the Administrations after these sordid and heart ranching incidents. It was undoubtedly an uncalled for and highly condemnable retribution by the hardcore majority Hindu community against the hapless and innocent Sikh minority. Unfortunately, the political vested interests projected these inhuman any bastardly, I am sorry to use this uncivilized word, incidents as the doing of the Congress leaders to avenge Indira Gandhi’s murder. It amounted to willful twisting of the facts by the vested interests. Most of us are not ready to call spade a spade because of the ill-conceived notion of so called communal unity. The Sikh community must get justice for the riots of 1984 under law of the land. Why Indira Gandhi, a nationalist of the highest order, should be ignored, on her Punia Teethi, October 31 – Martyrdom; which we celebrate as the National Unity Day? Is it not hypocrisy? While I greet my fellow Indians on the National Unity Day, the birth day of Sardar Patel, I also remember, with reverence, Indira Gandhi, the worthy daughter of India.

Mera Rona Nahi, Rona Hai Ye Sare Gulistan Ka
Woh Gul Hon Main, Khazan Har Gul Ki Hai Goya Khazan Meri

(This is not only my wailing, but is that of the entire garden
I am a rose, to me every rose’ autumn is my autumn)

 

Hindutava Agenda – Subtly at Work   - The other day, GOI has released its draft National Labour Policy, 2025 – Rashtriya Sharam Shakti Nitii, 2025. It hails Manusmriti. A story in the Tribune of October 30 says that Manusmriti has once again entered the political battlefield, this time through the Centre’s draft Labour Policy 2025, which claims that the ancient text “embeds the moral basis of labour governance within India’s

civilisational fabric, centuries before the rise of modern labour law.” But the Opposition
has sharply objected to the government’s invocation of Manusmriti, a text long criticised for its caste-based hierarchy and exclusionary codes. The Congress leaders accused the Modi government of seeking to “replace constitutional morality with the Manusmriti’s moral order”. This return to the principles of the Manusmriti is in keeping with the RSS’s most cherished traditions. It had attacked the Constitution soon after it was adopted - on the grounds that it did not derive inspiration from the ideals and values of Manu as embodied in the Manusmriti,” posted Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on X. The new draft National Labour & Employment Policy includes elements identified by critics as Hindutva-inspired, particularly its framing of work as a "sacred and moral duty" based on ancient Hindu texts like the Manusmriti and Arthashastra. Critics argue this approach, which uses terms like "dharma" and "rajdharma," ignores modern concepts of workers' rights, fair wages, and safety and could reinforce a caste-based hierarchy by downplaying the need for legal protections in favor of a moral/religious framework, as reported by The Wire and The Telegraph. 

Earlier the National Education Policy, 2020, identified potential Hindutava Elements through its emphasis on "civilisational values," promotion of Sanskrit, inclusion of philosophical concepts like those found in the Bhagavad Gita, and a nationalist narrative. While proponents frame these as fostering holistic development and traditional values, critics argue it promotes a Hindu-centric curriculum that could downplay secularism and India's multicultural history. 

The Hindutava agenda of the GOI, it seems, is subtly a work. It is a matter of concern and worry as the Hindu text like Manusmriti and Ram Charit Manas are the votaries of Chatur-Varna Vivastha from which the graded inequality flows and these denigrate the women folk. The so called division of labour in the Varan Vivastha emanates not from the skill or knowledge but from birth. Where are we heading? It is a matter to ponder over.  

तुम्हारी तहज़ीब अपने ख़ंजर से आप ही ख़ुद-कुशी करेगी

जो शाख़-ए-नाज़ुक पे आशियाना बनेगा ना-पाएदार होगा