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)