Reflections on 100 years of RSS

RELIGIOUS SAMSKARAS, 'INDIAN-NESS', AND HINDUTVA HAVE SOCIAL ROOTS AND CONTRIBUTE TO RSS INFLUENCE

- BADRI NARAYAN Vice-Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences

THE RASHTRIYA SWAYAM Sewak Sangh (RSS), popularly called 'Sangh', is celebrating its centenary. Various celebrations are being organised by it to relate its meaning and vision to the majority of society. Its chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered an insightful lecture in Delhi upon this occasion, and many similar events have been organised across various cities.

During its 100 years-long journey, the Sangh has expanded itself significantly. It has connected with people across caste, community, regional, and class lines. A Sangh karykarta (worker) told me, "We are everywhere—from among the homeless, jhuggi -jhopadi (slums), to apartments and bungalows." It's interesting to observe that the RSS and Communist Party of India (CPI) were formed in same year, 1925-one in Nagpur and another in Cownpore (Kanpur). The RSS was established to create a samaras (equitable) society for the construction of a Hindu rashtra (nation), while the CPI was formed based on the notion of class struggle. One can easily observe that the Sangh ideology has proved its relevance and had an impressive reception. On the other hand, communist ideology has constantly been losing its relevance. The questions that emerge are why and how? The answer may be found via a deep ethnographic study on how these organisations work with the common people.