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CoverStory IDEOLOGY

reap the benefits of reservation feel that they no on the road to freedom,” Bhagwat said. The statement
longer need it. Reservation itself is not the prob - counters the Congress’ oft-repeated allegations that
lem; the politics over it is the problem. The SC/ST Act the BJP and the RSS have done little to recognise the
should not be misused.” Congress’ contribution in India’s freedom struggle.
He reiterated that every woman should be About the charge that Sangh salutes the saffron
respected and apart from one’s wife and mother. He flag and not the national flag, Bhagwat said that the
also said that strict laws should be brought into force RSS has always respected the national flag. He said
to punish those guilty of crimes against women. He that RSS has a women’s wing, the Rashtriya Sewika
underlined the theme of sabka saath, sabka vikas and Samiti which was set up before Independence.
said that even the community of LGBTQ should not He said that it was wrong to say that the Sangh is a
be isolated because they are as much a part of the misogynistic organization and added “Our mothers
society as others. “Times are changing, and the socie- and sisters, wherever they are, continue to contribute
ty has to take a call on such issues.” He said that it was to the work done by the RSS”.
responsibility of the government and administration Bhagwat explained the workings of the RSS and
to protect its people against any discrimination. its affiliates. On the questions on RSS “remote-con-
Though it is difficult to decode the new RSS but trolling” the BJP and the government Bhagwat said,
Bhagwat observed that if all religions are equal, what “Who will be in power, what policy the country will
is the need for conversion? “Conversion by unfair accept is something to be decided by the society and
means is wrong,” he said. people, we are not concerned about that”. Quoting
To a question about changing demographic bal- RSS founder Hedgewar to say that the organisa -
ance in parts of India and the ‘declining’ Hindu tion aims to unite all. He said that the RSS structure
population, the RSS chief said the matter of demo- evolved over a period of time and the organisation’s
graphic balance is considered significant world over name was chosen by a majority vote by the first
and it should be maintained here also. “Keeping this group of 16 swayamsewaks. Even the uniform and
in mind, a policy on population should be prepared,” the drill evolved over a period of time.
he said, adding that it should keep in mind the coun-
try’s projected population in the next 50 years and its HIGHLIGHTING PLURALISM
resources to deal with the number. Significantly, Bhagwat’s speeches at the conclave
He said that such a policy should be applied first appeared having a liberal touch and showcased
where the problem (of population) exists, “where RSS as an organisation that embraces all. Realising
there are more babies but means to bring them up that his lecture might appear intriguing to people,
are limited… If their upbringing is not good, then they he asked them not to trust his words but to verify it
will not become good citizens.” Many BJP leaders in true spirit of inquiry. Bhagwat tried to make eve-
and Hindu outfits have often claimed that the Hindu ryone believe that RSS stands for pluralism, het-
population was dwindling whereas Muslim numbers erogeneity, compassion, self-sacrifice, tolerance, co- Ram Temple should
were on a upswing. existence, all-inclusive society, unity in diversity and be built without
delay, says RSS
Hinduism not being a religion but a value system”.
IDEOLOGICAL STANCE He observed that the RSS never tries to impose
While main agenda of Bhagwat seemed to present its philosophy on anyone. “I am placing before you
RSS as more accommodating and acceptable organi- some facts about this organisation. I am not here to be no Hindu Rashtra without Muslims seemed day mega event and past actions on the ground
sation, he also used the occasion to explain Sangh’s convince or convert you. I invite you to study and running counter to what is mostly perceived about including lynchings, attempts to muzzle dissent are
position on key ideological issues for which it has verify. Come to us, inspect us, see how we work and the RSS. “Hindu Rashtra does not mean it has no there for everyone to see and analyse, but the chang-
faced flak from its ideological adversaries. On the then form an informed opinion. … People get the place for Muslims. The day it is said that Muslims ing tone of RSS is welcome. The vision of RSS as
opening day itself, he quoted extensively from the impression that the RSS is a very dictatorial organisa- are unwanted here, the concept of Hindutva will espoused by its chief aimed at explaining to minori-
life and times of the RSS founder KB Hedgewar. He tion. They think that the ‘chief’ of RSS decides every- cease to exist. All people are our own. Our tradition is ties that Muslims are as Indian as Hindus and that
said, “To understand RSS, you have to start with Dr thing and everyone has to follow. In reality, the RSS unity. Hindutva believes that the world is a family,” their exclusion cannot lead to a stronger nation
Keshav Balram Hedgewar”. Explaining about the is very different. But don’t believe me; come close to said Bhagwat who claimed that this was the senti- should be welcomed by all, including skeptics. Bhag-
RSS founder’s works, Bhagwat disclosed that he had Sangh to check out the truth. Bhagwat said, “Here ment among people of undivided India until 1881. wat also said that he would ‘respect’ the sentiments
joined the Congress and went to jail for a year during the youngest Swayamsewak can question the eld- “Usko wapas lana padega… usko aap, hum jaisa kehte of those who wish to be called ‘Bharatiya’ and not
India’s freedom struggle. The RSS chief even show- est and actually everything in Sangh has evolved hain usko, Hindu mat kaho… aap usko Bharatiya kaho… Hindu. The support for reservations and inter-caste
ered praise on Congress for playing a “big role” in the democratically and nothing is being imposed on hum aap ke kehne ka samman karte hain (We need to marriages, assertions to become more inclusive
freedom movement of the country. “A huge move- Swayamsewaks”. return that. If you do not want to call that Hindu, as show the changing face of RSS, the organisation that
ment began in the form of the Congress. There were It seems there is paradigm shift in RSS ideology we do, call it Bharatiya. We will respect what you is now evolving and changing with the times.
many great souls who sacrificed a lot and continue now or the RSS was often misunderstood in the past. say),” he said.
to inspire us today. That ideology placed the nation The talk of reconciliation stating that there could The divergence between the lectures at the three- LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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