RSS is always castigated as a bigoted organisation surviving on its main theme of Hindu supremacist agenda. It is often said that its only aim is to eradicate all the other communities ie Muslims, Christians, and others. But in recent years it has become somewhat mellow in its approach and stance and does not wish to take up unnecessary chaos on its already tarred image. It is branded as a group of secular liberals and right-wing as one can see as young as 25 and 26-year-old advocates in their khaki sanghi outfits. The recent statement by the sanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat that there is no upper and lower caste and that all are equal, has left the critics quite shocked and pleased at the same time. It has left the rigid leaders anoid also. He was quoted in Indian Express saying “Whatever the name, ability, and honor of a person, everybody is the same and there are no differences…”.He further went on to comment on the varna-jati-based hierarchies that “What some pandits say on the basis of shastras is a lie. We are misled by caste superiority and this illusion has to be set aside.” Such statements might have upset the traditionalists but the transformation of Bhagwat towards a softer Hindutva approach has happened over many years. In 2018, RSS expressed rejoice at the Supreme Court verdict to allow women to enter Sabarimala. On another occasion RSS leader said that times have changed a lot and many views of the Sangh’s second chief, guruji M.S Golwalkar are not relevant in the current times. He is also not as stringent against congress as he was earlier. Even though Modi had often said in the public gathering that there should be a Congress mukt Bharat, but Bhagwat says that Bharat should not be mukt of anyone. He has also assured Muslims they don’t need to live in fear as India is their country as well. He feels that its high time that RSS should be more reciprocative of the public sentiment and that there should not be any supremacist ideals. Sangh which also operates the country’s largest trade union called Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh, is not a right-wing organization. It’s by the people and for the people. RSS alsobacks Vishwa Hindu parishad which stands for protecting Hindu rights and helped in acquiring the three Hindu shrines in Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura which were destroyed by the Mughal rulers. It has organisations that help the tribals in reconversion, education, and welfare. The reconversion program is run under the name of Ghar wapasi Programme. It’s other wing is called Swadeshi which Mahatma Gandhi would have been proud of. Earlier the Sangh was more rigid in its take, the military-style drills, the uniform, not being appreciative of the changing times, it definitely was not a youth’s party. Maybe the party realised that for a wider appeal and acceptance, they need to lose their rigid stand on many issues of caste and be more relatable with the changing times. Now, it’s safe to call sangh as a broadly Hindu left which is a secular version of Hinduism without the religious trappings and over-the-top symbolism. It doesn’t have the primitive mindset of varna and Jati anymore because practically now everyone is doing everything so there is no segregated division based on varna system left in the current order of the society. RSS now aims at uniting peace with peace. Since Sabarimala, it is trying to bridge the ideological gap between Hindu traditionalists and modernists as it’s high time for the party seniors to start understanding the same. The VHP is Sangh’s religious part is both a traditionalist and has links with seers and sages but is also anti-castist. It doesn’t believe in taking strong manipulative control of temples and wants society to be less cast driven in nature. They are also trying to reach out to the Muslim and Christian communities for unity but they have received only a little success so far. This is a great approach as the polity will move towards greater acceptance of Hinduism along with other minor religions. Now Sangh is seeking an inclusive Hindutva which will unite the traditionalist and liberal Hindus for overall development and will help in reaching out to the minorities. But if the same shall happen in real or if it will stay as a long door dream depends on India’s deracinated left liberal caucus as it will lose its power. At the same time, the Sangh will also need to fight an international lobby that wishes to delegitimise Sangh in the wake of majoritarianism. Sangh’s work to help and aid the suffering of the people and unite them is quite cut out. Its discipline and ability to remain true to its purpose is indeed applaudable. Day by day, it is showing the greater capacity to do better and unite culturally. INAV
