RSS claims itself to be the biggest organization in the world. It aims at working for Hindu Rashtra and also claims that it is a cultural organization. It is as such striving for Hindu nationalism contrary to the one underlined in our Constitution, Indian nationalism. It regards Hindus as a nation, and so it has set its goal.
Over and over again one or the other top leader of BJP has voiced the demand for scrapping the Indian Constitution and proclaiming that we should become a Hindu Rashtra. RSS Sarsanghchalak K Sudarshan himself had stated this when became chief of RSS in 2000.
Prior to 2024 elections BJP President JP Nadda stated that now BJP is more capable and does not need RSS support for its electoral campaign, which was the norm in previous elections. What does the pledge and prayer of RSS tell about its goal?
RSS' role in shaping BJP, its political progeny, can easily be discerned from the writings and actions of its leaders. One recalls that it was Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of Hindu Mahasabha, who collaborated with RSS to float the previous avatar of BJP, Bhartiya Jan Sangh. The then RSS chief MS Golwalkar (Guruji), regarded as the major ideologue of RSS, time and again outlined the role of RSS trained swayamsevaks and pracharaks, while being in Jana Sangh or BJP.
Golwalkar writes:
“For instance some of our friends were told to go and work for politics that does not mean that they have great interest or inspiration for it. They don’t die for politics like fish without water. If they are told to withdraw from politics, then also there is no objection. Their discretion is just not required.” (Golwalkar, MS, "Shri Guruji Samagar Darshan", collected works of Golwalkar in Hindi, Bhartiya Vichar Sadhna, Nagpur, vol. 3, p. 33).
He tells us clearly that Jan Sangh or BJP was supposed to follow the instructions of RSS.
Further Guruji says:
“We know this also that some of our swayamsevaks [cadres] work in politics. There they have to organize according to the needs of work: public meetings, processions etc., have to raise slogans" (same as above Vol 4, page 4-5).
RSS has nurtured and trained its swayamsevaks on these lines, even as floating many organizations. Nathuram Godse, the killer of Mahatma Gandhi, was also a trained pracharak of RSS.
RSS at that time did not keep any records of membership so it could wash its hands of this murder. Nathuram Godse's family believes that the assassin, a staunch member of the RSS, was neither expelled from the sangh nor did he ever leave the organization.
Shamsul Islam, eminent scholar of Hindu nationalism, points out:
“The central publication house of the RSS, the Suruchi Prakashan, Jhandewalan, New Delhi, published, Param Vaibhav Ke Path Par (1997) which gave details of more than 40 organizations created by the RSS for different tasks. The BJP as a political organization figures prominently in it at number 3, with the ABVP, Hindu Jagaran Manch, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Sanskar Bharti etc."
Similarly the prayer and pledge of RSS makes it clear that they make its followers commit to Hindu nation. Its prathana (prayer) says:
“You/O God almighty, we the integral part of the Hindu Rashtra salute you in reverence/For Your cause have we girded up our loins/Give us Your Blessings for its accomplishment” (RSS, Shakha Darshika, Gyan Ganga, Jaipur, 1997, p.1).
The pledge is also equally forthright in saying: “I become a member of the RSS in order to achieve all round greatness of Bharatvarsha by fostering the growth of my sacred Hindu religion, Hindu society, and Hindu culture" (page 66 above).
RSS' role in shaping BJP, its political progeny, can be discerned from writings and actions of its leaders
The masquerading of RSS as a cultural organization does help it to expand by appealing to the emotions of many. Major leaders of the freedom struggle were very clear about the nature of RSS.
Mahatma Gandhi's secretary Pyarelal recalls:
“A member of Gandhi’s entourage had praised the efficiency, discipline, courage and capacity for hard work shown by RSS cadres at Wagah, a major transit camp for Punjab refugees. Gandhi quipped back, ‘but don’t forget, even so had Hitler’s Nazis and Fascists under Mussolini’, Gandhi characterized RSS as a communal body with a totalitarian outlook" ("Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase" Ahmedabad, page 440).
Nehru regarded RSS as having traits of fascism. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, had stated:
“The RSS is strictly secret as regards its organization. It has consequently developed along fascist lines and is definitely a potential menace to public peace" (Dr. Rajendra Prasad to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 12 December 1948).
Sardar Patel wrote:
“As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhiji’s murder… about the participation of the two organizations, but our reports do confirm that, as a result of the activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, an atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible… The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of the Government and the State. Our reports show that those activities, despite the ban, have not died down. Indeed, as time has marched on, the RSS circles are becoming more defiant and are indulging in their subversive activities in an increasing measure” (letter 64 cited in "Sardar Patel: Select Correspondence 1945-1950", vol. 2, Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmadabad, 1977, pp 276-277).
It should be remembered that RSS was banned thrice, and wriggled out of those bans by wearing the façade of culture. As we know the ban on government servants taking part in politics is to ensure that our bureaucracy remains committed to the values of the constitution and not be politically partisan. This ban on government servants participating in RSS activities has been there for over 50 years.
In between the Janata Party and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were also at the helm of political affairs but this ban was not lifted. Modi has been in power for the last 10+ years. Why is he taking this decision now? Is it after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has been making oblique criticism of the supreme leader?
There is a need for cultural activists and social scientists to assess the contribution of RSS to Indian culture. This mask of RSS being a cultural organization needs to be undone and its political agenda grasped for the protection of Indian Constitution and democracy. As such it seems to be a supra-political outfit.
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*Political commentator
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