RSS left the caste census to politicians and concentrated on altering the ground realities

 RSS left the caste census to politicians and concentrated on altering the ground realities

These are some points that are directly related to the history and operation of the RSS in order to comprehend the RSS's position on caste census.

Has the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) altered its position on the caste census controversy? Because they overlook the background, the majority of political experts provide incorrect answers to this issue. Understanding a few key concepts pertaining to the operation of the RSS and its historical development over the last 98 years is necessary in order to comprehend the backdrop. Thus, these are a few items.

social cohesion

'Social harmony' has been the RSS's primary aim since its founding and is fundamental to how it operates. Although social harmony cannot be precisely translated into English, it is generally understood to mean social coherence; some analysts have also referred to it as social equality. Everyone in the RSS is referred to by their first name with the Hindi word "ji," which is meant to be respectful; surnames are not utilized. In India, a person's surname indicates their caste. With the union's founding in 1925, the custom of not using surnames was established, and it is being followed today. Regardless of caste, there are volunteers at RSS training camps who live, eat, and play together. 'Sahbhoj' is arranged at least once a month by over 60,000 shakhas, which are daily assemblies of local volunteers for the RSS. At a communal meal called Sahbhoj, RSS volunteers provide food from their homes. After all of the food has been combined, everyone shares a meal.

Ambedkar and Mahatma were impacted by RSS

When Mahatma Gandhi visited the RSS camp in Wardha, Maharashtra in 1934, he commended the organisation for its efforts since its founding in 1925 to eradicate prejudice based on caste. Recalling this visit, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at an RSS gathering. 16 September 1947 at Delhi's Safai Karmachari Colony. This occurrence was recounted on September 28, 1947, in Mahatma Gandhi's weekly publication, "Harijan."

Gandhi said that he had visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh camp in Wardha at the time its founder, Shri Hedgewar, was still living, according to the story. Gandhi had been led to the camp by the late Shri Jamnalal Bajaj, and he was deeply struck by his severe simplicity, utter lack of untouchability, and discipline.

Since then, the partnership has changed. According to the study, Gandhiji believed that any organization motivated by the principles of selflessness and service would undoubtedly get stronger.

Significantly impressing Dr. BR Ambedkar was also the ease with which RSS volunteers demonstrated'social harmony'.

1935 saw Ambedkar's first official discussions with the RSS. He had gone to the RSS branch in Dapoli, which is close to Pune, for business. He received an invitation to the RSS training camp in Pune in 1939. There he also got to know Dr. KB Hedgewar, the founder of RSS.

More than 500 volunteers from the RSS were there at the camp when Ambedkar arrived. The fact that there was no caste-based discrimination profoundly struck Ambedkar. Senior RSS officials Moropant Pingale and Balasaheb Sathe met with Dr. Ambedkar in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, in June 1953, and they requested comprehensive information on the RSS's scope.

Basis for VHP

The founding of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to unite all of the Hindu religion's saints in order to eradicate caste-based prejudice was motivated by MS Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the RSS. In the presence of forty notable members of Indian society, the VHP was established in 1964 on the festival of Janmashtami at Sandipani Ashram in Bombay. When the RSS saw that caste prejudice was a serious flaw in Hindu culture and that it was being used, particularly by Christian missionaries, for religious conversion, it formed the VHP. Earlier, in the early 1950s, the RSS had sparked the founding of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram to provide aid to the Scheduled Tribes, who had been marginalized by Hindu culture and had therefore become easy pickings for Christian missionaries.

'Samajik Samrasata' is the full-fledged vertical that the RSS formed recently. The socially underprivileged segments of society are the target of this vertical, which aims to eradicate all forms of prejudice against them.

RSS's stance against caste prejudice

The greatest representation of the RSS's perspective on caste prejudice in India may be found in a 1974 Spring talk Series talk delivered by Balasaheb Deoras, the third Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, in Pune. The RSS volunteers really feel that this is a highly beloved talk. a foundation that directs initiatives to alleviate socioeconomic injustice.

Untouchability is a terrible and regrettable facet of our societal inequity, according to Deoras. Some scholars contend that while it did not exist in antiquity, it eventually found its way into our social structure throughout time. Whatever its source, it is essential to all of us. Let's assume that being unruly is a dreadful mistake that has to be completely eliminated. This is without question. Slavery was outlawed in America by Abraham Lincoln, who once said, "If slavery is not wrong, then nothing is wrong." In a same vein, let's all exclaim, "If untouchability is not wrong, then nothing in the world is wrong!" Therefore, eradicating social inequity in all its forms ought to be each person's objective. We need to make it very evident to the general public how socioeconomic inequality has caused our society to become weak and disjointed. Additionally, we will need to indicate the path out of their grasp. Everyone must put out some effort in this endeavor. By doing this, the barriers to Hindu unity will be lifted.

Furthermore, it must be acknowledged that only three Sangh office-bearers—the Sarsanghchalak (Chief Patron), the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary), and the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh (All India Publicity Chief)—have remarks that may be regarded as the party's official stance. The organization's stance on the caste census issue has been made plain by the public relations head. The fundamental tenet of this position is that no fault lines should be formed, that everyone should work to establish a supportive atmosphere for society, and that whatever helps the underprivileged sectors should be done.

Over political optics on caste-related problems, the RSS's commitment to eradicating caste-based oppression and uplifting vulnerable parts of society is paramount. Regarding these matters, the RSS has delegated responsibility to the political parties, since the Sangh is occupied with carrying out more than 2 lakh welfare projects around the nation via the efforts of its volunteers, often reaching areas that are inaccessible even to governments. When it celebrates its centennial in 2025, it intends to further expand its influence in the social reform sector. To summarize, the Sangh adheres to the proverb that "actions speak louder than words" when it comes to eradicating caste prejudice and strengthening neglected populations. And it ought to be the deciding factor.

Two books about RSS have been authored by Arun Anand. @ArunAnandLive is his former handle. Opinions are subjective and may not always reflect the position of this publication.