Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cab-to-function-like-a-one-time-drive-says-top-rss-functionary-267715">RSS</a>) chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-visits-ailing-arun-jaitley-at-aiims-243793">Mohan Bhagwat</a> on Tuesday said that the people of India should lead the world in finding unity in diversity rather than searching for diversity in unity.

"There is diversity in the universe and we have to accept and respect it. It is the culture of this country to live with the knowledge that diversity came out of unity. We are not the ones who search for diversity in unity. We are the ones who understand that there is unity in diversity," Bhagwat said addressing a gathering here.

He was attending an event to inaugurate a medical dialysis centre in the national capital, which was also attended by Lok Sabha Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-speaker-om-birla-rejects-ministers-demand-says-there-will-be-no-adjournments-238511">Om Birla</a>. 
The RSS chief said that people nowadays look for how they are different from others.

"Nowadays, our caste or political allegiance determines whether we are united or separated. The whole world is plagued by this wrong approach. Indians have to correct this trend," Bhagwat said.

"It doesn't take long for one to become many. The universe was created on the whim of Bramha Ji. He said that he was alone and bored. So, the universe was created after a big bang and focused to create many," he added.

Bhagwat said that RSS workers are always engaged in selflessly working for the welfare of society and those in need.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that the people of India should lead the world in finding unity in diversity rather than searching for diversity in unity.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that the people of India should lead the world in finding unity in diversity rather than searching for diversity in unity. "There is diversity in the universe and we have to accept and respect it. It is the culture of this country to live with the knowledge that diversity came out of unity. We are not the ones who search for diversity in unity. We are the ones who understand that there is unity in diversity," Bhagwat said addressing a gathering here. He was attending an event to inaugurate a medical dialysis centre in the national capital, which was also attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The RSS chief said that people nowadays look for how they are different from others. "Nowadays, our caste or political allegiance determines whether we are united or separated. The whole world is plagued by this wrong approach. Indians have to correct this trend," Bhagwat said. "It doesn't take long for one to become many. The universe was created on the whim of Bramha Ji. He said that he was alone and bored. So, the universe was created after a big bang and focused to create many," he added. Bhagwat said that RSS workers are always engaged in selflessly working for the welfare of society and those in need.

Indians should help world understand there is unity in diversity: Mohan Bhagwat

As a political slugfest over government formation continues and with the deadline to form the government just around the corner, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwan here on Tuesday.

The duo held a closed-door meeting at RSS headquarters here for over an hour late in the night. The meeting bears significance with the tenure of the incumbent Assembly ends on November 8.

BJP and Shiv Sena are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war with the latter refusing to soften stand on its demands for equal sharing of Cabinet portfolios and the chief minster`s tenure of 2.5 years.

However, Fadnavis has said that Shiv Sena was not promised the chief ministerial post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was sealed before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said that Shiv Sena is yet to give any proposal and that BJP`s doors are "always open" for them.

Leaders in Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have also confirmed that the two parties are trying to chalk out an alternative to keep the BJP out of power in the state.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats while Shiv Sena got 56 in the 288-member state assembly. The results of assembly polls were announced on October 24.&nbsp;

As a political slugfest over government formation continues and with the deadline to form the government just around the corner, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwan here on Tuesday.

As a political slugfest over government formation continues and with the deadline to form the government just around the corner, outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwan here on Tuesday. The duo held a closed-door meeting at RSS headquarters here for over an hour late in the night. The meeting bears significance with the tenure of the incumbent Assembly ends on November 8. BJP and Shiv Sena are engaged in a bitter tug-of-war with the latter refusing to soften stand on its demands for equal sharing of Cabinet portfolios and the chief minster`s tenure of 2.5 years. However, Fadnavis has said that Shiv Sena was not promised the chief ministerial post for two-and-a-half years when the alliance was sealed before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said that Shiv Sena is yet to give any proposal and that BJP`s doors are "always open" for them. Leaders in Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have also confirmed that the two parties are trying to chalk out an alternative to keep the BJP out of power in the state. The BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats while Shiv Sena got 56 in the 288-member state assembly. The results of assembly polls were announced on October 24.

Amid political tug-of-war in Maharashtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis meets RSS chief

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to inquire about the health <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arun-jaitleys-health-condition-is-stable-aiims-doctors-inform-vice-president-241914">condition of senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley</a>.

The 66-year-old was admitted in the hospital here on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-cm-nitish-kumar-jammu-and-kashmir-governor-satya-pal-malik-visit-arun-jaitley-at-aiims-243706">Leaders from several political parties</a> have visited the former Union minister at AIIMS.

On Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind, Union ministers Amit Shah, Harsh Vardhan and Ashwini Choubey, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had gone to the hospital to check about the condition of the BJP leader.

Soon after Jaitley was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of AIIMS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had paid a visit to the hospital.

In a late-night statement on August 9, AIIMS had said Jaitley is undergoing treatment under the supervision of a multi-disciplinary team of doctors. Since then, the hospital has not issued any bulletin on his health.&nbsp;

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to inquire about the health condition of senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to inquire about the health condition of senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley. The 66-year-old was admitted in the hospital here on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness. Leaders from several political parties have visited the former Union minister at AIIMS. On Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind, Union ministers Amit Shah, Harsh Vardhan and Ashwini Choubey, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had gone to the hospital to check about the condition of the BJP leader. Soon after Jaitley was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of AIIMS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had paid a visit to the hospital. In a late-night statement on August 9, AIIMS had said Jaitley is undergoing treatment under the supervision of a multi-disciplinary team of doctors. Since then, the hospital has not issued any bulletin on his health.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visits ailing Arun Jaitley at AIIMS

UK-based rapper Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur has been booked for sedition for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on social media, police said Thursday.

A written complaint was filed by a local lawyer, Shashank Shekhar, on Wednesday, SHO Cantonment Vijay Pratap Singh said.

The police have booked her under sections 124 A(sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion), 500(defamation) and 505 (intent to incite) of the Indian Penal Code and section 66 of the IT Act, he said.

The complaint will be forwarded to the cyber cell for further probe into the matter, the SHO said.

Hard Kaur is known for her hit songs like 'Glassy'&nbsp;and 'Move Your Body'. She also owns a music label, Future Records.&nbsp;

UK-based rapper Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur has been booked for sedition for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on social media, police said Thursday.

UK-based rapper Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur has been booked for sedition for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on social media, police said Thursday. A written complaint was filed by a local lawyer, Shashank Shekhar, on Wednesday, SHO Cantonment Vijay Pratap Singh said. The police have booked her under sections 124 A(sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion), 500(defamation) and 505 (intent to incite) of the Indian Penal Code and section 66 of the IT Act, he said. The complaint will be forwarded to the cyber cell for further probe into the matter, the SHO said. Hard Kaur is known for her hit songs like 'Glassy' and 'Move Your Body'. She also owns a music label, Future Records.

Rapper Hard Kaur booked for sedition over remarks against Yogi Adityanath

Amidst controversy over JDU not joining the BJP led NDA government at the Centre, the party on Sunday made it clear that it would remain a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

"We want to make it clear once again that we are and will remain a part of the NDA. We are going to contest the 2020 Assembly polls under the banner of NDA and the leadership of Nitish Kumar," senior JDU leader KC Tyagi said while addressing a press conference here after the national executive meeting.

However, he also clarified that JDU won't be a part of the NDA government at the Centre.

Rejecting media reports that JDU had forwarded the names of some leaders to be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, Tyagi said, "JDU did not forward any names for the Cabinet."

"In the first meeting between Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar, Shahji said that we have the majority but we will still give symbolic representation to all our allies. Nitish ji politely said that this is not possible."

The senior JDU leader asserted that offer to join the Union Cabinet came on a number of occasions, but these were turned down by his party.

"Just like the last time, when we did not join the government for two years but continued to support it, similarly, this time too, we will continue to support the government from outside," he said.

"We reject all such rumours and misinformation and slandering campaigns," he said while reminding that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed 171 meetings for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Talking about the party's plans discussed at the meeting of the national executive, Tyagi said,&nbsp;"We want to make our party a national party. We are a recognised party in Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh. The party has decided to contest the upcoming Assembly election in four states. We will try that we become a national party by 2020."

He also made it clear that JDU won't support the scrapping of Article 370.

"Jayaprakash Narayan was the only leader to support Article 370 when it was attacked by the Congress and attempts were made to dilute it. We are his descendants. It is our responsibility to raise questions put up by our ancestors. So there won`t be any compromise on that," he said.

Commenting on the Ram temple issue, the JDU leader said,&nbsp;"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat have said it that nothing will happen on the Ram Mandir front until the Supreme Court order is out."

"May this government last longer. May the country prosper under the leadership of Narendra Modi but we will not accept anything other than proportional representation," he said.

Clarifying about the controversy over JDU leader Prashant Kishor working for TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, Tyagi said,&nbsp;"IPAC has nothing to do with the JDU. Now, he is a doctor (pointing towards a leader sitting beside him). Should he stop giving prescriptions to Congress workers?"

"We want BJP to win in West Bengal and the TMC to lose. Is Prashant Kishor going to seek votes? Why would the party have any objection against his works until or unless he doesn`t make a statement or does something against the JDU and NDA," he added.&nbsp;

Amidst controversy over JDU not joining the BJP led NDA government at the Centre, the party on Sunday made it clear that it would remain a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Amidst controversy over JDU not joining the BJP led NDA government at the Centre, the party on Sunday made it clear that it would remain a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "We want to make it clear once again that we are and will remain a part of the NDA. We are going to contest the 2020 Assembly polls under the banner of NDA and the leadership of Nitish Kumar," senior JDU leader KC Tyagi said while addressing a press conference here after the national executive meeting. However, he also clarified that JDU won't be a part of the NDA government at the Centre. Rejecting media reports that JDU had forwarded the names of some leaders to be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, Tyagi said, "JDU did not forward any names for the Cabinet." "In the first meeting between Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar, Shahji said that we have the majority but we will still give symbolic representation to all our allies. Nitish ji politely said that this is not possible." The senior JDU leader asserted that offer to join the Union Cabinet came on a number of occasions, but these were turned down by his party. "Just like the last time, when we did not join the government for two years but continued to support it, similarly, this time too, we will continue to support the government from outside," he said. "We reject all such rumours and misinformation and slandering campaigns," he said while reminding that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed 171 meetings for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking about the party's plans discussed at the meeting of the national executive, Tyagi said, "We want to make our party a national party. We are a recognised party in Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh. The party has decided to contest the upcoming Assembly election in four states. We will try that we become a national party by 2020." He also made it clear that JDU won't support the scrapping of Article 370. "Jayaprakash Narayan was the only leader to support Article 370 when it was attacked by the Congress and attempts were made to dilute it. We are his descendants. It is our responsibility to raise questions put up by our ancestors. So there won`t be any compromise on that," he said. Commenting on the Ram temple issue, the JDU leader said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat have said it that nothing will happen on the Ram Mandir front until the Supreme Court order is out." "May this government last longer. May the country prosper under the leadership of Narendra Modi but we will not accept anything other than proportional representation," he said. Clarifying about the controversy over JDU leader Prashant Kishor working for TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, Tyagi said, "IPAC has nothing to do with the JDU. Now, he is a doctor (pointing towards a leader sitting beside him). Should he stop giving prescriptions to Congress workers?" "We want BJP to win in West Bengal and the TMC to lose. Is Prashant Kishor going to seek votes? Why would the party have any objection against his works until or unless he doesn`t make a statement or does something against the JDU and NDA," he added.

JDU will remain a part of NDA, will fight 2020 Assembly polls under leadership of Nitish: KC Tyagi

The RSS will give constructive advice to the government whenever it falters, Mohan Bhagwat Sunday said as he cautioned that any democratically-elected dispensation should guard against any "misuse" of its power.

Addressing a Sangh gathering here, the RSS chief said, "Those getting elected in a democratic set-up have immense power, but this does not mean that it should be misused. If the government falters at any point in time, the Sangh will give it advice and suggestions with a positive point of view."

Bhagwat's comments came days after the Narendra Modi dispensation assumed office for a second term.

Later, he addressed another meeting of the RSS.

At the meeting, Bhagwat told "volunteers that they should not be arrogant, no matter how much good work they have done or how much they have helped others," according to RSS leader Mohan Agarwal.

"He also exhorted them to bring social equality, and eradicate illiteracy, drug and alcohol addiction and other social evils," Agarwal said.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief arrived here on Saturday and is scheduled to attend a series of programmes.

The RSS will give constructive advice to the government whenever it falters, Mohan Bhagwat Sunday said as he cautioned that any democratically-elected dispensation should guard against any "misuse" of its power.

The RSS will give constructive advice to the government whenever it falters, Mohan Bhagwat Sunday said as he cautioned that any democratically-elected dispensation should guard against any "misuse" of its power. Addressing a Sangh gathering here, the RSS chief said, "Those getting elected in a democratic set-up have immense power, but this does not mean that it should be misused. If the government falters at any point in time, the Sangh will give it advice and suggestions with a positive point of view." Bhagwat's comments came days after the Narendra Modi dispensation assumed office for a second term. Later, he addressed another meeting of the RSS. At the meeting, Bhagwat told "volunteers that they should not be arrogant, no matter how much good work they have done or how much they have helped others," according to RSS leader Mohan Agarwal. "He also exhorted them to bring social equality, and eradicate illiteracy, drug and alcohol addiction and other social evils," Agarwal said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief arrived here on Saturday and is scheduled to attend a series of programmes.

RSS will give constructive advice to govt whenever it falters: Mohan Bhagwat

Industrialist Ratan N Tata met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur on April 17, news agency ANI reported quoting sources.

The meeting, which RSS functionaries say a courtesy call, lasted two hours at the organisation`s headquarters, the report added.

This is Tata`s second visit to the RSS headquarters. Tata first visited the RSS headquarters on December 28, 2016.

The industrialist arrived in Nagpur on Tuesday and left the city after meeting the RSS chief on Wednesday.

The confidential meeting came at a time when Lok Sabha elections are underway in India.&nbsp;

Several industrialists have extended support to various political parties and organisations.

Congress leader Milind Deora on Thursday tweeted a montage video in which Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, extended support to Deora in his fight against Shiv Sena`s Arvind Sawant for South Mumbai parliamentary constituency.

"Having represented South Mumbai for 10 years, I believe, Milind has in-depth knowledge of social, economic and cultural ecosystem of the South Bombay constituency," Ambani is seen saying in the video clip. &nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Industrialist Ratan N Tata met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur on April 17, news agency ANI reported quoting sources. The meeting, which RSS functionaries say a courtesy call, lasted two hours at the organisation`s headquarters, the report added.

Industrialist Ratan N Tata met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur on April 17, news agency ANI reported quoting sources. The meeting, which RSS functionaries say a courtesy call, lasted two hours at the organisation`s headquarters, the report added. This is Tata`s second visit to the RSS headquarters. Tata first visited the RSS headquarters on December 28, 2016. The industrialist arrived in Nagpur on Tuesday and left the city after meeting the RSS chief on Wednesday. The confidential meeting came at a time when Lok Sabha elections are underway in India. Several industrialists have extended support to various political parties and organisations. Congress leader Milind Deora on Thursday tweeted a montage video in which Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, extended support to Deora in his fight against Shiv Sena`s Arvind Sawant for South Mumbai parliamentary constituency. "Having represented South Mumbai for 10 years, I believe, Milind has in-depth knowledge of social, economic and cultural ecosystem of the South Bombay constituency," Ambani is seen saying in the video clip. (With inputs from ANI)

Ratan Tata meets RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019 began at 7 am on Thursday, April 11.Ninety-one constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories will vote in this initial phase. Watch video to know more.

Lok Sabha election 2019: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat casts his vote in Nagpur

'The Saffron Surge' is a book for those who want to know about people who ran RSS. It is a book which&nbsp;outlines basic facts and life chronology of RSS&nbsp;Sarsanghchalaks and those who shaped its politics and policies.

Though the book had the scope to go into the details of important decisions which RSS took, however, the author has refrained from doing so. The basic takeaway from the book is that RSS is not as rigid in its dogma as it comes across from outside.

Last year, journalists were taken by surprise when Mohan Bhagwat, in a press conference, said that certain portions from&nbsp;M S Golwalkar's (the second Sarsanghchalak of RSS) book - 'A Bunch of Thoughts', have been edited. He said that eternal thoughts have been retained and those&nbsp;found to be outdated and out of context have been removed. At that&nbsp;time, I thought that it is a paradigm shift but that was not the case, which I discovered after reading Arun Anand's book.

The author has published a speech of Balasaheb Deoras (the third Sarsanghchalak of RSS), given on May 8, 1974 in Pune, wherein in the context of religion and outdated practices, Deoras spoke about&nbsp;eternal and changeable thoughts. In his speech, he categorically stated that organisation can do away with old and out of context practices as they have become irrelevant.&nbsp;

It demonstrates that change may come slow to RSS, but it is not immune to it.&nbsp;It is for this reason, the RSS has repositioned itself in the context of minorities and softened its ethnocultural nationalism wherever it is required. The example, in this case, is North East where RSS did not let beef become an issue in Nagaland and Meghalaya elections. RSS has also softened its position on multiple issues keeping the political&nbsp;climate in mind. 
 
The example in the case could be putting Ayodhya issue to sleep when Vajpayee ran a coalition government.

It is for this reason many people fail to fathom RSS’s deep inroads in ST, SC and OBC sections of the society.

Similarly, the book dwells into individual contributions made by the RSS heads during their respective tenures. For example, MS Golwalkar’s thrust on pracharak system and cow to be used as a symbol of a cultural and political entity or a massive expansion of RSS under Deoras. 
 
<img alt="The Saffron Surge" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a1019901-bd58-4668-ad7f-0178ab5d0f26" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/rss_0.jpeg" />

The book also highlights the role of K S Sudarshan (the fifth Sarsanghchalak of RSS) taking up the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh and drawing a line between refugees and illegal immigrants which the current government has incorporated in the bill which is yet to be passed by Parliament.

The book introduces the reader to thoughts and ideas of various RSS heads which allowed the organisation to grow in multiple directions.

What the book did not do and could have done was - covering important political developments which people remember. For example, the formation of anti-Congress governments in 1967, formation of Janata Party government in 1977 and its view of VP Singh government. Though RSS says that it has never been directly into politics, but the views espoused by the heads have always turned into policy issues for BJP.

The book could have gone into details of Sudarshan’s view on Vajpayee and Advani when he wanted them to make a way for the younger generation. These issues would have cast greater light on the important role which RSS chiefs have played all along. The author should have also contextualised the riots and why a certain section was at the receiving end.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Today, a lot of people attribute the success of harnessing diaspora to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but after reading the book you understand that it is a result of cumulative efforts put in by respective RSS chiefs.

M S Golwalkar organised a Global Hindu Convention in 1966 at Prayag. &nbsp;His initiative was further carried forward by Dr. Rajendra Singh aka Rajju bhaiya who became the first RSS chief to extensively travel outside the country. Certain words which have become prominent in the tenure of BJP can also be traced back to some RSS chiefs. For example, Rajju bhaiya used the word &nbsp;‘Assertive Hindu’ to describe the organisation.

The thrust towards Swadeshi science received a special push when Sudarshan officiated as the head, are one of the few highlights of the book which shows a deep umbilical connection of BJP with RSS. Arun has also traced the origin of the relationship between RSS and BJP by going back to the time and describing the way Bharatiya Jana Sangh received help from RSS when Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was at helms of affair. At this point of time, Deen Dayal Upadhaya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nana Ji Deshmukh got associated with the BJS. 
&nbsp; 
His book also details the formation of RSS during colonial India. He, very deftly, describes what its founder Dr. Hedgewar did but has failed to look into what influenced him to come up with the idea of cultural ethnonationalism. This would have made the book interesting. For an example, It is well known as to who and what influenced Gandhi and Nehru but we do not get a glimpse of the mental map of almost all the Sarsanghchalaks in the book.

Like it or not, RSS is here to stay in India, but its role and perception has changed.

It claims to be a cultural organisation but people at large now believe, and which is true, that RSS has turned into a mean electoral machine by investing itself heavily in the civil society issues.

It is here the Congress has failed, and hence, declined rapidly in many areas. RSS is a project to change the contours of the Hindu society, but India is a multicultural country and, in future, RSS may again have to make a change in its functioning and ideology as per the emerging reality if it wants to evolve and survive.

Lastly, RSS played an important role in making Vajpayee and Modi the Prime Ministers but its Hindutva politics has limits. Vajpayee became PM because of coalition vote and Modi because aspirational India came along the RSS-BJP combine. Hindutva vote alone is not enough for RSS to keep it political project floating and that is the hard reality.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

'The Saffron Surge' is a book for those who want to know about people who ran RSS. It is a book which outlines basic facts and life chronology of RSS Sarsanghchalaks and those who shaped its politics and policies.

'The Saffron Surge' is a book for those who want to know about people who ran RSS. It is a book which outlines basic facts and life chronology of RSS Sarsanghchalaks and those who shaped its politics and policies. Though the book had the scope to go into the details of important decisions which RSS took, however, the author has refrained from doing so. The basic takeaway from the book is that RSS is not as rigid in its dogma as it comes across from outside. Last year, journalists were taken by surprise when Mohan Bhagwat, in a press conference, said that certain portions from M S Golwalkar's (the second Sarsanghchalak of RSS) book - 'A Bunch of Thoughts', have been edited. He said that eternal thoughts have been retained and those found to be outdated and out of context have been removed. At that time, I thought that it is a paradigm shift but that was not the case, which I discovered after reading Arun Anand's book. The author has published a speech of Balasaheb Deoras (the third Sarsanghchalak of RSS), given on May 8, 1974 in Pune, wherein in the context of religion and outdated practices, Deoras spoke about eternal and changeable thoughts. In his speech, he categorically stated that organisation can do away with old and out of context practices as they have become irrelevant. It demonstrates that change may come slow to RSS, but it is not immune to it. It is for this reason, the RSS has repositioned itself in the context of minorities and softened its ethnocultural nationalism wherever it is required. The example, in this case, is North East where RSS did not let beef become an issue in Nagaland and Meghalaya elections. RSS has also softened its position on multiple issues keeping the political climate in mind. The example in the case could be putting Ayodhya issue to sleep when Vajpayee ran a coalition government. It is for this reason many people fail to fathom RSS’s deep inroads in ST, SC and OBC sections of the society. Similarly, the book dwells into individual contributions made by the RSS heads during their respective tenures. For example, MS Golwalkar’s thrust on pracharak system and cow to be used as a symbol of a cultural and political entity or a massive expansion of RSS under Deoras. The book also highlights the role of K S Sudarshan (the fifth Sarsanghchalak of RSS) taking up the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh and drawing a line between refugees and illegal immigrants which the current government has incorporated in the bill which is yet to be passed by Parliament. The book introduces the reader to thoughts and ideas of various RSS heads which allowed the organisation to grow in multiple directions. What the book did not do and could have done was - covering important political developments which people remember. For example, the formation of anti-Congress governments in 1967, formation of Janata Party government in 1977 and its view of VP Singh government. Though RSS says that it has never been directly into politics, but the views espoused by the heads have always turned into policy issues for BJP. The book could have gone into details of Sudarshan’s view on Vajpayee and Advani when he wanted them to make a way for the younger generation. These issues would have cast greater light on the important role which RSS chiefs have played all along. The author should have also contextualised the riots and why a certain section was at the receiving end. Today, a lot of people attribute the success of harnessing diaspora to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but after reading the book you understand that it is a result of cumulative efforts put in by respective RSS chiefs. M S Golwalkar organised a Global Hindu Convention in 1966 at Prayag. His initiative was further carried forward by Dr. Rajendra Singh aka Rajju bhaiya who became the first RSS chief to extensively travel outside the country. Certain words which have become prominent in the tenure of BJP can also be traced back to some RSS chiefs. For example, Rajju bhaiya used the word ‘Assertive Hindu’ to describe the organisation. The thrust towards Swadeshi science received a special push when Sudarshan officiated as the head, are one of the few highlights of the book which shows a deep umbilical connection of BJP with RSS. Arun has also traced the origin of the relationship between RSS and BJP by going back to the time and describing the way Bharatiya Jana Sangh received help from RSS when Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was at helms of affair. At this point of time, Deen Dayal Upadhaya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nana Ji Deshmukh got associated with the BJS. His book also details the formation of RSS during colonial India. He, very deftly, describes what its founder Dr. Hedgewar did but has failed to look into what influenced him to come up with the idea of cultural ethnonationalism. This would have made the book interesting. For an example, It is well known as to who and what influenced Gandhi and Nehru but we do not get a glimpse of the mental map of almost all the Sarsanghchalaks in the book. Like it or not, RSS is here to stay in India, but its role and perception has changed. It claims to be a cultural organisation but people at large now believe, and which is true, that RSS has turned into a mean electoral machine by investing itself heavily in the civil society issues. It is here the Congress has failed, and hence, declined rapidly in many areas. RSS is a project to change the contours of the Hindu society, but India is a multicultural country and, in future, RSS may again have to make a change in its functioning and ideology as per the emerging reality if it wants to evolve and survive. Lastly, RSS played an important role in making Vajpayee and Modi the Prime Ministers but its Hindutva politics has limits. Vajpayee became PM because of coalition vote and Modi because aspirational India came along the RSS-BJP combine. Hindutva vote alone is not enough for RSS to keep it political project floating and that is the hard reality. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Book review: 'The Saffron Surge' - RSS is not immune to the changing world but needs to do more

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Saturday said while there is a strong Constitution and laws in place, their effective implementation does not happen due to a "lack of sensitivity among the masses".

Bhagwat was addressing a gathering in Mumbai, after taking part in 'Dheyapurti Puraskar Ceremony-2018' organised by Nutan Gulgule Foundation (NGF) working for the cause of the people with physical and mental disabilities.

The RSS chief said religion should not be just read in books but be implemented as a way of life, and that humans should behave like human beings.

"There is a strong Constitution, laws in place. However, they are not being implemented due to a lack of sensitivity among masses. There has to be an awakening in the society," he said.

Bhagwat said one's behaviour in public affects the society and that others follow suit.

He added that while 'pooja' (worship) is a matter of faith, the religion of humanity should be imbibed in one's character and behaviour.

Bhagwat further said one's character should be such that they find the religion of humanity and that everybody should strive to ensure they do whatever they can for Divyangs.&nbsp;

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Saturday said while there is a strong Constitution and laws in place, their effective implementation does not happen due to a "lack of sensitivity among the masses".

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Saturday said while there is a strong Constitution and laws in place, their effective implementation does not happen due to a "lack of sensitivity among the masses". Bhagwat was addressing a gathering in Mumbai, after taking part in 'Dheyapurti Puraskar Ceremony-2018' organised by Nutan Gulgule Foundation (NGF) working for the cause of the people with physical and mental disabilities. The RSS chief said religion should not be just read in books but be implemented as a way of life, and that humans should behave like human beings. "There is a strong Constitution, laws in place. However, they are not being implemented due to a lack of sensitivity among masses. There has to be an awakening in the society," he said. Bhagwat said one's behaviour in public affects the society and that others follow suit. He added that while 'pooja' (worship) is a matter of faith, the religion of humanity should be imbibed in one's character and behaviour. Bhagwat further said one's character should be such that they find the religion of humanity and that everybody should strive to ensure they do whatever they can for Divyangs.

Laws not being enforced effectively due to lack of sensitivity among people: RSS chief

The RSS is mulling training its cadres on rescue and rehabilitation operations after natural calamities, a senior functionary of the organisation said here Wednesday.

A three-day meeting of the Sangh's Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal began at Bhayander near here Wednesday. It was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Speaking to the media, the Sangh's joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya said several issues of national importance would be discussed during the meeting.

"RSS volunteers work with dedication during natural calamities, but they are not trained for it. In this meeting, there will be a discussion on how to train them to tackle the calamities," he said.

There will also be a discussion on water conservation and environment protection initiatives to be taken up by volunteers, he said.

"Sangh has also undertaken an important work in the form of an activity called 'Kutumb Prabodhan'. Families are getting scattered or broken up nowadays. The Sangh is concerned about how to keep families together," Vaidya said.

The Sangh has around 55,000 'shakha' (primary units) in the country, Vaidya informed. "In all, around 31,000 villages have shakha. Of the total number of shakha, 82 per cent are in rural areas," he said.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is also working for preservation of Indian breeds of cow, development of cow-oriented farming and healthcare based on cow products, Vaidya said.&nbsp;

The RSS is mulling training its cadres on rescue and rehabilitation operations after natural calamities, a senior functionary of the organisation said here Wednesday.

The RSS is mulling training its cadres on rescue and rehabilitation operations after natural calamities, a senior functionary of the organisation said here Wednesday. A three-day meeting of the Sangh's Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal began at Bhayander near here Wednesday. It was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Speaking to the media, the Sangh's joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya said several issues of national importance would be discussed during the meeting. "RSS volunteers work with dedication during natural calamities, but they are not trained for it. In this meeting, there will be a discussion on how to train them to tackle the calamities," he said. There will also be a discussion on water conservation and environment protection initiatives to be taken up by volunteers, he said. "Sangh has also undertaken an important work in the form of an activity called 'Kutumb Prabodhan'. Families are getting scattered or broken up nowadays. The Sangh is concerned about how to keep families together," Vaidya said. The Sangh has around 55,000 'shakha' (primary units) in the country, Vaidya informed. "In all, around 31,000 villages have shakha. Of the total number of shakha, 82 per cent are in rural areas," he said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is also working for preservation of Indian breeds of cow, development of cow-oriented farming and healthcare based on cow products, Vaidya said.

RSS plans to train cadres on natural calamities rescue, rehab operations

Long back, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar popularised the celebration of six Indian festivals as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s calendar. Of these, Vijayadashami, which marks the triumph of good over evil is possibly the most important. On this day, not only did the Mother Goddess Durga slay the asura Mahishasura but, it is believed, Sri Rama also killed Ravana. In the Mahabharata, this is also the day when Arjuna single-handedly defeated the Kaurava army. No wonder, the Vijayadashami address of the RSS chief is keenly awaited.

This year’s speech was delivered on Thursday, October 18, by RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Rao Bhagwat at the Reshimbagh Maidan, Nagpur. Bhagwat began by recalling how we would soon celebrate the 550th Prakash Parv or anniversary of Guru Nanak. Bhagwat stressed how Guru Nanak opened a “new path of self-enlightenment” by a “spiritual practice commensurate with the times.” He created a new sense of oneness in a society beaten and brutalised by “cruel, intolerant, savage foreign invaders.” We need not forget that the invader in question was Babar, who also destroyed the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. When Babar conquered Punjab, it is recorded that Guru Nanak was himself taken captive. Bhagwat also acknowledged the Sikh Guru parampara: “It is his [Guru Nanak’s] legacy that gave the country a magnificent and majestic tradition of 10 gurus who removed our state of penury and inferiority.”

Next Bhagwat remembered Mahatma Gandhi, whose 150th anniversary we are celebrating. Gandhi, according to Bhagwat, provided “the political foundation of truth and nonviolence to the independence movement of the country.” He was one in a long line of “several great personalities of this country” who inspired “continuous enlightenment” and strengthened our “inclusive culture, based on love and truth.” Gandhi “inspired the common man of the country to come out of his home and stand firmly with a moral force against the British oppression.” Bhagwat immediately switched to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which took place on Vaisakhi 1919, when soldiers of the British Indian army killed nearly a 1000 unarmed men and women.

Nearly 71 years after our independence, our struggle to regain our self, our “sva,” is still far from over. Indian social and cultural life is yet to be fully decolonised. To preserve our svaraj or independence, Bhagwat noted, both defence and economic security are absolutely essential. He emphasised security at the border, improvement of infrastructure, employment benefits to our Armed Forces, and self-sufficiency in defence production. But there are in our midst elements “who challenge the law, Constitution and sovereignty of the country.” They must be sternly dealt with. “Incessant vigil” by state police and paramilitary forces is required, he added.

Bhagwat was also unsparing in his self-criticism of Indian society, identifying “ignorance, the dearth of development and amenities, unemployment, injustice, exploitation, discrimination and absence of sensitivity and sanity” as root causes of our sorry state. To end inequality and social disharmony, inclusive development was the answer. This meant implementing various policies to ameliorate the weaker sections, including SCs and STs. On the other hand, “urban Maoists” are taking advantage of social tensions and divisions. Their “cohorts” are “already established in social and other media, intellectual circles and other institutions”. Such anti-national elements are “experts in freely using deceit and poisonous provocative language to make their vicious campaign even more potent.” Bhagwat called this sort of ideological warfare “Mantrayuddh”.

Why is it that in independent Bharat, our rulers are yet “to make the administration people-centric”? Obviously, “political freedom” without all dimensions of our national life “reorganised on the basis of ‘sva’ (self)” is not complete. That is why the rebuilding of the Ram temple was so important. Its main aim was to restore the self-esteem of the people. But all elements of society needed to come together to accomplish this task.

&nbsp;While the judicial process would take its course, “it is in nobody’s interest to test the patience of the society without any reason”. Therefore, if needed, the Government could consider legislation as a way to solve the dispute. Similarly, on Sabarimala, the sentiments of the people had to be considered; just judicial intervention would not be sufficient. To adapt and adopt our “sva” to the times was how to make Bharat great once again, he said.

Listening to the Sarsanghchalak, I was suddenly struck by how the RSS, pilloried and castigated for decades for being hard line and fanatical, today represents the moderate face of Hinduism. There are many groups, even among middle-class Hindus who, impatient and dissatisfied with the BJP government, blame the Government for doing little for Hindus. Whether Bhagwat was addressing such groups or not is unclear, but he did appeal for 100 per cent voting “keeping in mind national interest as supreme”. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-moderate-hinduism-bhagwat-s-vijayadashami-exposition-2677093">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Long back, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar popularised the celebration of six Indian festivals as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s calendar. Of these, Vijayadashami, which marks the triumph of good over evil is possibly the most important.

Long back, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar popularised the celebration of six Indian festivals as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s calendar. Of these, Vijayadashami, which marks the triumph of good over evil is possibly the most important. On this day, not only did the Mother Goddess Durga slay the asura Mahishasura but, it is believed, Sri Rama also killed Ravana. In the Mahabharata, this is also the day when Arjuna single-handedly defeated the Kaurava army. No wonder, the Vijayadashami address of the RSS chief is keenly awaited. This year’s speech was delivered on Thursday, October 18, by RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Rao Bhagwat at the Reshimbagh Maidan, Nagpur. Bhagwat began by recalling how we would soon celebrate the 550th Prakash Parv or anniversary of Guru Nanak. Bhagwat stressed how Guru Nanak opened a “new path of self-enlightenment” by a “spiritual practice commensurate with the times.” He created a new sense of oneness in a society beaten and brutalised by “cruel, intolerant, savage foreign invaders.” We need not forget that the invader in question was Babar, who also destroyed the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. When Babar conquered Punjab, it is recorded that Guru Nanak was himself taken captive. Bhagwat also acknowledged the Sikh Guru parampara: “It is his [Guru Nanak’s] legacy that gave the country a magnificent and majestic tradition of 10 gurus who removed our state of penury and inferiority.” Next Bhagwat remembered Mahatma Gandhi, whose 150th anniversary we are celebrating. Gandhi, according to Bhagwat, provided “the political foundation of truth and nonviolence to the independence movement of the country.” He was one in a long line of “several great personalities of this country” who inspired “continuous enlightenment” and strengthened our “inclusive culture, based on love and truth.” Gandhi “inspired the common man of the country to come out of his home and stand firmly with a moral force against the British oppression.” Bhagwat immediately switched to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which took place on Vaisakhi 1919, when soldiers of the British Indian army killed nearly a 1000 unarmed men and women. Nearly 71 years after our independence, our struggle to regain our self, our “sva,” is still far from over. Indian social and cultural life is yet to be fully decolonised. To preserve our svaraj or independence, Bhagwat noted, both defence and economic security are absolutely essential. He emphasised security at the border, improvement of infrastructure, employment benefits to our Armed Forces, and self-sufficiency in defence production. But there are in our midst elements “who challenge the law, Constitution and sovereignty of the country.” They must be sternly dealt with. “Incessant vigil” by state police and paramilitary forces is required, he added. Bhagwat was also unsparing in his self-criticism of Indian society, identifying “ignorance, the dearth of development and amenities, unemployment, injustice, exploitation, discrimination and absence of sensitivity and sanity” as root causes of our sorry state. To end inequality and social disharmony, inclusive development was the answer. This meant implementing various policies to ameliorate the weaker sections, including SCs and STs. On the other hand, “urban Maoists” are taking advantage of social tensions and divisions. Their “cohorts” are “already established in social and other media, intellectual circles and other institutions”. Such anti-national elements are “experts in freely using deceit and poisonous provocative language to make their vicious campaign even more potent.” Bhagwat called this sort of ideological warfare “Mantrayuddh”. Why is it that in independent Bharat, our rulers are yet “to make the administration people-centric”? Obviously, “political freedom” without all dimensions of our national life “reorganised on the basis of ‘sva’ (self)” is not complete. That is why the rebuilding of the Ram temple was so important. Its main aim was to restore the self-esteem of the people. But all elements of society needed to come together to accomplish this task. While the judicial process would take its course, “it is in nobody’s interest to test the patience of the society without any reason”. Therefore, if needed, the Government could consider legislation as a way to solve the dispute. Similarly, on Sabarimala, the sentiments of the people had to be considered; just judicial intervention would not be sufficient. To adapt and adopt our “sva” to the times was how to make Bharat great once again, he said. Listening to the Sarsanghchalak, I was suddenly struck by how the RSS, pilloried and castigated for decades for being hard line and fanatical, today represents the moderate face of Hinduism. There are many groups, even among middle-class Hindus who, impatient and dissatisfied with the BJP government, blame the Government for doing little for Hindus. Whether Bhagwat was addressing such groups or not is unclear, but he did appeal for 100 per cent voting “keeping in mind national interest as supreme”. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Moderate Hinduism: Mohan Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami exposition

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday demanded law for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Temple construction is necessary from a self-esteem point of view; it will also pave way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness, Bhagwat said.&nbsp;

In his annual Vijayadashmi address at the RSS headquarters at Reshimbagh, Nagpur, he said Maoism has always been "urban" and the neo-Left doctrine of urban Naxals is to establish an "anti-national" leadership with blind followers solely committed to them.

He charged that "urban Maoism" was propagating falsehood and spreading hatred in the society.

"These people (Maoists) take strength from the country's enemies and always malign the nation wherever they go," he charged.&nbsp;

To establish an anti-national leadership with blind followers solely committed to them is the 'neo-Left' doctrine of these urban Naxals, he said.

Stressing on self-reliance in defence production, he said India cannot be assured about its security without total self-reliance in defence production, he said and added the foreign policy of India has always been peace, tolerance and friendly relations irrespective of governments.&nbsp;

Without naming Pakistan, he said attacks on borders haven't stopped despite a new government taking over.&nbsp;

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday demanded law for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Temple construction is necessary from a self-esteem point of view; it will also pave way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness, Bhagwat said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday demanded law for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Temple construction is necessary from a self-esteem point of view; it will also pave way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness, Bhagwat said. In his annual Vijayadashmi address at the RSS headquarters at Reshimbagh, Nagpur, he said Maoism has always been "urban" and the neo-Left doctrine of urban Naxals is to establish an "anti-national" leadership with blind followers solely committed to them. He charged that "urban Maoism" was propagating falsehood and spreading hatred in the society. "These people (Maoists) take strength from the country's enemies and always malign the nation wherever they go," he charged. To establish an anti-national leadership with blind followers solely committed to them is the 'neo-Left' doctrine of these urban Naxals, he said. Stressing on self-reliance in defence production, he said India cannot be assured about its security without total self-reliance in defence production, he said and added the foreign policy of India has always been peace, tolerance and friendly relations irrespective of governments. Without naming Pakistan, he said attacks on borders haven't stopped despite a new government taking over.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat demands law for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya

One of the paradoxes of ideological and cultural conflict is how adversaries, after a long engagement, begin to resemble one another. Following Karl Marx, the presiding deity of Communism, the patron saint of dialectical materialism, Frederich Engels, called this phenomenon the interpenetration of opposites. In Anti-Dühring and The Dialectics of Nature (1878), Engels argued that while “traditional formal logic seeks to banish contradiction…dialectical thought embraces it.” In other words, contradiction is the key to progress.

During the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA-I (1999-2004), we witnessed a ‘Congressikaran’ of the BJP and a saffronisation of the Congress. In other words, once in power, the NDA stared sounding more and more like the Congress, while the Congress adopted some of the shrill postures and overtones of its political and electoral opponent. One would have thought that NDA-II, with PM Narendra Modi at the helm, would buck this trend. The decisive majority that Modi earned, not to mention the BJP’s triumph in Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh, proved that they were not hostage to “coalition dharma”. Without any compulsion to appease other NDA members or conciliate a belligerent Opposition, how is it that the BJP and the larger Sangh Parivar sometime resemble a divided family?

The paradox is that their very success and dominance in today’s India seemed to have exposed cracks and fault lines; in constantly embattled in the Opposition, they seemed much more cohesive and united. But now that their writ runs large over the country, whether in politics or culture, their internal dissensions have been exposed to the gaze, often critical and unsparing, of the public. In the last few weeks there have been at least three inflexion points baring the internal disagreements within the Hindu Right.

First, the unprecedented success of the 3-day outreach by RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Rao Bhagwat. With over 10 million views and 50 opinion or op-ed responses in English and Indian-language press, this event would be pronounced an unqualified success. However, rumblings of discontent soon appeared. Some hardliners tweeted that the spiritual head of the RSS was appeasing Muslims, other minorities, LGBTs and generally backtracking on “Hindu” causes. Actually, nothing Bhagwat said constituted a radical shift from the line taken by previous Sarsangchalaks, including ‘Guruji’ MS Golwalkar. The Sangh has shown itself responding to the need of the hour by changing with the times.

The second inflection point was the so-called “Hindu Charter of Demands”. I say “so-called” because it also includes demands not exclusively Hindu, such as a ban on all foreign contributions and stress on equal opportunities to all Indian languages which would, of course, include Urdu, widely, albeit mistakenly, perceived as a ‘Muslim language’. Again, what we see is the coming to the fore of elements more impatient if not radical than the ruling BJP or RSS. The authors and signatories of the “Hindu Charter of Demands”, many of whom I know personally, expect speedy and timely redress, else may urge Hindus to vote against the BJP in the upcoming 2019 elections.

The third inflection point was the Sabarimala verdict, allowing women between 10 and 50 or, to put it plainly, menstruating women, to visit the shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. In a 4-1 verdict on September 28, the Supreme Court had ruled against this: “Rules disallowing women in Sabarimala are unconstitutional and violative of Article 21.” While sections of the Sangh Parivar, including some womens’ outfits, initially welcomed the verdict as promoting equality, others immediately saw it as an opportunity to put the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Communist government, which sought to implement the judgment immediately, on the back foot. The issue, aside from its politics, is quite complex. Should an interventionist Supreme Court overrule and override the faith of devotees? In this case, allowing women would distract, if not disturb, the celibacy, if not of the deity, then of the millions of male devotees who have fasted and practiced abstinence for the 40-day period of their vow. Especially, when a large body of women devotees are ready to wait?

The challenge for the bigger Hindu-Hindutva constituency is how to maintain unity, especially in the run-up to the 2019 elections. The real work of the regeneration and rejuvenation of India, which includes a second Indian renaissance, insiders aver, requires at least another five years of the Modi Sarkar. “The reforms initiated in the first term need to formalised, institutionalised, and put on a permanent footing,” one of them told me.

For this, Hindu unity is absolutely essential. The question is what can be done to ensure it. Here the principle interpenetration of opposites might show the way: The ruling dispensation must be more inclusive and accommodative rather than succumbing to hardliner and radicals. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-seeing-red-how-will-the-hindutva-blues-play-out-2672075">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

One of the paradoxes of ideological and cultural conflict is how adversaries, after a long engagement, begin to resemble one another. Following Karl Marx, the presiding deity of Communism, the patron saint of dialectical materialism, Frederich Engels, called this phenomenon the interpenetration of opposites.

One of the paradoxes of ideological and cultural conflict is how adversaries, after a long engagement, begin to resemble one another. Following Karl Marx, the presiding deity of Communism, the patron saint of dialectical materialism, Frederich Engels, called this phenomenon the interpenetration of opposites. In Anti-Dühring and The Dialectics of Nature (1878), Engels argued that while “traditional formal logic seeks to banish contradiction…dialectical thought embraces it.” In other words, contradiction is the key to progress. During the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA-I (1999-2004), we witnessed a ‘Congressikaran’ of the BJP and a saffronisation of the Congress. In other words, once in power, the NDA stared sounding more and more like the Congress, while the Congress adopted some of the shrill postures and overtones of its political and electoral opponent. One would have thought that NDA-II, with PM Narendra Modi at the helm, would buck this trend. The decisive majority that Modi earned, not to mention the BJP’s triumph in Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh, proved that they were not hostage to “coalition dharma”. Without any compulsion to appease other NDA members or conciliate a belligerent Opposition, how is it that the BJP and the larger Sangh Parivar sometime resemble a divided family? The paradox is that their very success and dominance in today’s India seemed to have exposed cracks and fault lines; in constantly embattled in the Opposition, they seemed much more cohesive and united. But now that their writ runs large over the country, whether in politics or culture, their internal dissensions have been exposed to the gaze, often critical and unsparing, of the public. In the last few weeks there have been at least three inflexion points baring the internal disagreements within the Hindu Right. First, the unprecedented success of the 3-day outreach by RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Rao Bhagwat. With over 10 million views and 50 opinion or op-ed responses in English and Indian-language press, this event would be pronounced an unqualified success. However, rumblings of discontent soon appeared. Some hardliners tweeted that the spiritual head of the RSS was appeasing Muslims, other minorities, LGBTs and generally backtracking on “Hindu” causes. Actually, nothing Bhagwat said constituted a radical shift from the line taken by previous Sarsangchalaks, including ‘Guruji’ MS Golwalkar. The Sangh has shown itself responding to the need of the hour by changing with the times. The second inflection point was the so-called “Hindu Charter of Demands”. I say “so-called” because it also includes demands not exclusively Hindu, such as a ban on all foreign contributions and stress on equal opportunities to all Indian languages which would, of course, include Urdu, widely, albeit mistakenly, perceived as a ‘Muslim language’. Again, what we see is the coming to the fore of elements more impatient if not radical than the ruling BJP or RSS. The authors and signatories of the “Hindu Charter of Demands”, many of whom I know personally, expect speedy and timely redress, else may urge Hindus to vote against the BJP in the upcoming 2019 elections. The third inflection point was the Sabarimala verdict, allowing women between 10 and 50 or, to put it plainly, menstruating women, to visit the shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. In a 4-1 verdict on September 28, the Supreme Court had ruled against this: “Rules disallowing women in Sabarimala are unconstitutional and violative of Article 21.” While sections of the Sangh Parivar, including some womens’ outfits, initially welcomed the verdict as promoting equality, others immediately saw it as an opportunity to put the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Communist government, which sought to implement the judgment immediately, on the back foot. The issue, aside from its politics, is quite complex. Should an interventionist Supreme Court overrule and override the faith of devotees? In this case, allowing women would distract, if not disturb, the celibacy, if not of the deity, then of the millions of male devotees who have fasted and practiced abstinence for the 40-day period of their vow. Especially, when a large body of women devotees are ready to wait? The challenge for the bigger Hindu-Hindutva constituency is how to maintain unity, especially in the run-up to the 2019 elections. The real work of the regeneration and rejuvenation of India, which includes a second Indian renaissance, insiders aver, requires at least another five years of the Modi Sarkar. “The reforms initiated in the first term need to formalised, institutionalised, and put on a permanent footing,” one of them told me. For this, Hindu unity is absolutely essential. The question is what can be done to ensure it. Here the principle interpenetration of opposites might show the way: The ruling dispensation must be more inclusive and accommodative rather than succumbing to hardliner and radicals. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 How will the Hindutva blues play out?

The Congress Wednesday compared RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement on early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya with the&nbsp;noise made by frogs during rains.

Accusing the&nbsp;RSS-BJP of sending Lord Ram to "exile" after every election,&nbsp;Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the BJP and the RSS were like "Kalyug's Kaikeyi" who remember Lord Ram four months before every election and then send him to exile after it, reported news agency PTI.

"During the season of rains and elections, a number of frogs make noise and that every noise does not become a reality. Lord Ram is everywhere and in the country," Surjewala was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

"At one time in Satyug, Kaikeyi had got Lord Ram banished to a 14-year exile. In today's Kalyug, 'Kaikeyi BJP and RSS' have sent Lord Ram to exile of 30 years.

"After every election, they send Lord Ram to exile and remember him four months before every election. What is the character of BJP and RSS? Ram in their speech and Nathuram in their thought. This is the truth of the BJP.," he said.

Surjewala said the Congress believes that the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue is pending before the Supreme Court and whatever verdict comes all sides should abide by it and the government should implement it.&nbsp;

The Congress Wednesday compared RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement on early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya with the noise made by frogs during rains. Accusing the RSS-BJP of sending Lord Ram to "exile" after every election, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the BJP and the RSS were like "Kalyug's Kaikeyi" who remember Lord Ram four months before every election and then send him to exile after it, reported news agency PTI.

The Congress Wednesday compared RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement on early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya with the noise made by frogs during rains. Accusing the RSS-BJP of sending Lord Ram to "exile" after every election, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the BJP and the RSS were like "Kalyug's Kaikeyi" who remember Lord Ram four months before every election and then send him to exile after it, reported news agency PTI. "During the season of rains and elections, a number of frogs make noise and that every noise does not become a reality. Lord Ram is everywhere and in the country," Surjewala was quoted as saying. "At one time in Satyug, Kaikeyi had got Lord Ram banished to a 14-year exile. In today's Kalyug, 'Kaikeyi BJP and RSS' have sent Lord Ram to exile of 30 years. "After every election, they send Lord Ram to exile and remember him four months before every election. What is the character of BJP and RSS? Ram in their speech and Nathuram in their thought. This is the truth of the BJP.," he said. Surjewala said the Congress believes that the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue is pending before the Supreme Court and whatever verdict comes all sides should abide by it and the government should implement it.

Congress compares Mohan Bhagwat's comment on Ram temple with 'frog's cry'

There is no doubt that the three-day RSS lecture series was a unique outreach exercise carried out by an organisation that is very difficult to peer into from outside. This was not just an assembly of the believers, the naysayers also got a fair share of the invites, and questions. The fact that the RSS was able to invite those who are ideologically opposed to the organisation in public shows that the RSS today cannot be ignored as a lesser organisation. The RSS also cannot be pushed to the discussion sidelines because it (often) indulges in pseudo-scientific and academic speak.&nbsp;

The RSS project, for good or bad, better or worse, has been able to mainstream its politics post-2014. It is for this reason that a meeting like this 10 to 15 years ago would have been ignored by the intellectual community, but which was this time forced to sit and listen to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.&nbsp;

It was forced to listen because there is a chance the BJP might come back to power again. 
&nbsp; 
The outreach exercise stated the evident barring couple of departures. The position of RSS on Article 35-A and 370 remains the same. RSS stands opposed to them. The continue to be uneasy with the idea of homosexuality. The departure was in the selective dropping of some of the writing of Golwalkar and insistence that Muslims are an integral part of nation building. The outfit also distanced itself from the BJP&nbsp;slogan of "Congress-mukt Bharat".

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the purpose of the meeting was to have an informed debate on the RSS and its work in the country and outside. 
&nbsp; 
As a preface, it is important to understand the rise of Kamandal politics over heydays of Mandal. The politics of social justice of last 40 years stands discredited.

The OBCs today are empowered both politically and financially. In fact, ‘Sanskritization’ of the intermediate caste is complete. Instead of representing the cause of castes mentioned in the Scheduled List they have become the new masters leaving Dalits and Tribals from the fold.&nbsp;

The Sanskritization has allowed OBC vote to split between BJP and regional parties (It earlier belonged to non-Congress socialist block) and reservation as an issue of justice has become limited to caste and lost its high moral ground. It is evident from Jat, Patidar and Maratha agitations as they fail to evoke sympathy from fellow brethren. Secondly, the middle class has expanded its say in politics which was a marginal player 20 years back.&nbsp;

Lastly, there is an absence of a pan India caste axis which existed during Indira Gandhi’s tenure where Dalits, Muslims, Tribals and Brahmins voted for the Congress. 
&nbsp; 
RSS seminar in the context is an acknowledgment of a resurgent reality. It also showed that RSS too requires to recalibrate its social, cultural and political position. RSS too needs to come of age. It needs to rise away from the glorification of ancient Indian history at the cost of medieval India. The conception that all ethnicities which migrated to India looted India is intrinsically wrong. The fact that Indian nationalism is a construct which flowed from the freedom struggle also needs to be accepted. RSS will need to convince people in its practiced politics that minorities are accepted as equal and do not live at the sufferance of the majority.&nbsp;

The consolidated Hindu vote is good when it kills the caste but it is not good when it makes minority voice or dissent useless. The consolidated Hindu vote cannot turn into minority veto as it would defeat the purpose of consolidation over caste. The theory propounded will require to be accepted at the shakha level and bias against minorities will need to be dropped. RSS will have to accept that India after independence has charted a different course and makes it different from Bangladesh and Pakistan. 
&nbsp; 
Will Bhagwat’s new sermon stop BJP from polarising the election is another million dollar question? It is then the outreach will have a substantial impact. It will have to practice what it has preached. 
&nbsp; 
Till then outreach will be an exercise in vain. It will only be remembered as PR exercise before Lok Sabha elections. 
&nbsp; 
On the other hand, the Opposition will need to understand that RSS is a project apart from its support for a political party. It has both electoral and non-electoral character. I would insist for electoral because how much RSS may deny, its cadre do get mobilised during the elections. RSS is not an electoral machine. It is a huge apparatus working at various levels of the society openly. It has created a brotherhood of ideas. It may not be at the cutting edge of intellectual ferment but it has been able to absorb middle-level intellectual inquiry. RSS’s work with Tribals and Dalits far surpasses that of other political parties. It ideological position on nationalism also makes up for its lack of a role in the freedom struggle. The Opposition should not wish away RSS. It is here to stay. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A lecture series like this, 10 to 15 years ago, would have been ignored by the intellectual community. But it was this time forced to sit and listen to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

There is no doubt that the three-day RSS lecture series was a unique outreach exercise carried out by an organisation that is very difficult to peer into from outside. This was not just an assembly of the believers, the naysayers also got a fair share of the invites, and questions. The fact that the RSS was able to invite those who are ideologically opposed to the organisation in public shows that the RSS today cannot be ignored as a lesser organisation. The RSS also cannot be pushed to the discussion sidelines because it (often) indulges in pseudo-scientific and academic speak. The RSS project, for good or bad, better or worse, has been able to mainstream its politics post-2014. It is for this reason that a meeting like this 10 to 15 years ago would have been ignored by the intellectual community, but which was this time forced to sit and listen to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. It was forced to listen because there is a chance the BJP might come back to power again. The outreach exercise stated the evident barring couple of departures. The position of RSS on Article 35-A and 370 remains the same. RSS stands opposed to them. The continue to be uneasy with the idea of homosexuality. The departure was in the selective dropping of some of the writing of Golwalkar and insistence that Muslims are an integral part of nation building. The outfit also distanced itself from the BJP slogan of "Congress-mukt Bharat". RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the purpose of the meeting was to have an informed debate on the RSS and its work in the country and outside. As a preface, it is important to understand the rise of Kamandal politics over heydays of Mandal. The politics of social justice of last 40 years stands discredited. The OBCs today are empowered both politically and financially. In fact, ‘Sanskritization’ of the intermediate caste is complete. Instead of representing the cause of castes mentioned in the Scheduled List they have become the new masters leaving Dalits and Tribals from the fold. The Sanskritization has allowed OBC vote to split between BJP and regional parties (It earlier belonged to non-Congress socialist block) and reservation as an issue of justice has become limited to caste and lost its high moral ground. It is evident from Jat, Patidar and Maratha agitations as they fail to evoke sympathy from fellow brethren. Secondly, the middle class has expanded its say in politics which was a marginal player 20 years back. Lastly, there is an absence of a pan India caste axis which existed during Indira Gandhi’s tenure where Dalits, Muslims, Tribals and Brahmins voted for the Congress. RSS seminar in the context is an acknowledgment of a resurgent reality. It also showed that RSS too requires to recalibrate its social, cultural and political position. RSS too needs to come of age. It needs to rise away from the glorification of ancient Indian history at the cost of medieval India. The conception that all ethnicities which migrated to India looted India is intrinsically wrong. The fact that Indian nationalism is a construct which flowed from the freedom struggle also needs to be accepted. RSS will need to convince people in its practiced politics that minorities are accepted as equal and do not live at the sufferance of the majority. The consolidated Hindu vote is good when it kills the caste but it is not good when it makes minority voice or dissent useless. The consolidated Hindu vote cannot turn into minority veto as it would defeat the purpose of consolidation over caste. The theory propounded will require to be accepted at the shakha level and bias against minorities will need to be dropped. RSS will have to accept that India after independence has charted a different course and makes it different from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Will Bhagwat’s new sermon stop BJP from polarising the election is another million dollar question? It is then the outreach will have a substantial impact. It will have to practice what it has preached. Till then outreach will be an exercise in vain. It will only be remembered as PR exercise before Lok Sabha elections. On the other hand, the Opposition will need to understand that RSS is a project apart from its support for a political party. It has both electoral and non-electoral character. I would insist for electoral because how much RSS may deny, its cadre do get mobilised during the elections. RSS is not an electoral machine. It is a huge apparatus working at various levels of the society openly. It has created a brotherhood of ideas. It may not be at the cutting edge of intellectual ferment but it has been able to absorb middle-level intellectual inquiry. RSS’s work with Tribals and Dalits far surpasses that of other political parties. It ideological position on nationalism also makes up for its lack of a role in the freedom struggle. The Opposition should not wish away RSS. It is here to stay. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: The RSS outreach - an exercise in earnest or simple political legwork? 

BJP veteran L K Advani on Friday described former president Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the RSS headquarters and his "illuminating exposition of the noble idea and ideals of Indian nationalism" as a "significant event in our country's contemporary history".

Advani lauded Mukherjee, who has had decades of association with the Congress, for accepting the invitation of the Hindutva organisation and its chief Mohan Bhagwat for inviting him, saying there was significant concord and resonance in the views expressed by both of them.&nbsp&nbsp &nbsp

As a lifelong 'swayamsevak' of the RSS, the BJP veteran said he believed that Mukherjee and Bhagwat have truly set a praiseworthy example of dialogue transcending ideological affiliations and differences.&nbsp

"Both of them highlighted the essential unity of India, which accepts and respects all diversities, including the pluralism of faiths," he said in a statement.

Advani, who has served as the BJP president for the longest period, expressed his happiness over the RSS under Bhagwat expanding and intensifying its efforts to reach out to various sections of the nation in the spirit of dialogue.

"Such conversations, conducted in the spirit of openness and mutual respect, will surely help in creating a much-needed atmosphere of tolerance, harmony and cooperation to build an India of our common dreams," he said.

Praising Mukherjee, Advani said he showed grace and goodwill in accepting the RSS invite as he recalled his long association with him.

"His own reflective nature, combined with his long and varied experience in public life, have made him a statesman who strongly believes in the necessity of dialogue and cooperation among people of various ideological and political backgrounds," he said of Mukherjee.

The former president's decision to accept the RSS invite to address its members had drawn a lot of flak from several Congress leaders and other rivals of the BJP, which is affiliated to the RSS.&nbsp

However, Mukherjee's speech drew praise from Congress leaders as well as from those associated with the RSS. He warned that hatred and intolerance diluted national identity and asserted that nationalism was not bound by race or religion while calling for dialogue to reconcile differences.

Advani lauded Mukherjee, who has had decades of association with the Congress, for accepting the invitation of the Hindutva organisation

BJP veteran L K Advani on Friday described former president Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the RSS headquarters and his "illuminating exposition of the noble idea and ideals of Indian nationalism" as a "significant event in our country's contemporary history". Advani lauded Mukherjee, who has had decades of association with the Congress, for accepting the invitation of the Hindutva organisation and its chief Mohan Bhagwat for inviting him, saying there was significant concord and resonance in the views expressed by both of them. As a lifelong 'swayamsevak' of the RSS, the BJP veteran said he believed that Mukherjee and Bhagwat have truly set a praiseworthy example of dialogue transcending ideological affiliations and differences. "Both of them highlighted the essential unity of India, which accepts and respects all diversities, including the pluralism of faiths," he said in a statement. Advani, who has served as the BJP president for the longest period, expressed his happiness over the RSS under Bhagwat expanding and intensifying its efforts to reach out to various sections of the nation in the spirit of dialogue. "Such conversations, conducted in the spirit of openness and mutual respect, will surely help in creating a much-needed atmosphere of tolerance, harmony and cooperation to build an India of our common dreams," he said. Praising Mukherjee, Advani said he showed grace and goodwill in accepting the RSS invite as he recalled his long association with him. "His own reflective nature, combined with his long and varied experience in public life, have made him a statesman who strongly believes in the necessity of dialogue and cooperation among people of various ideological and political backgrounds," he said of Mukherjee. The former president's decision to accept the RSS invite to address its members had drawn a lot of flak from several Congress leaders and other rivals of the BJP, which is affiliated to the RSS. However, Mukherjee's speech drew praise from Congress leaders as well as from those associated with the RSS. He warned that hatred and intolerance diluted national identity and asserted that nationalism was not bound by race or religion while calling for dialogue to reconcile differences.

Pranab's visit to RSS, his speech a significant event in our history: Advani

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-has-power-to-form-army-within-3-days-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-32530" target="_blank">RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat</a> on Sunday said that only India can show the right path to the world and everyone should work together for the unity of the country.

Addressing the &#39;Rashtroday Sammelan&#39; in western Uttar Pradesh Meerut, Bhagwat said everyone will have to unite for the country.

He said there had been and there will be conspiracies against India&#39;s unity, but everyone will have to remain united.

Union ministers from western Uttar Pradesh Mahesh Sharma, Gen V K Singh, Satyapal Singh, and state ministers Chetan Chauhan and Dharam Singh Saini were present at the programme.

&quot;All Hindus are one, say with pride we&#39;re one. Hindus must unite, this is our duty,&quot; Bhagwat said, stressing that if the country remains united, &quot;we can cut through a lot of barriers.&quot;

&quot;If we don&#39;t remain united, the whole world can take advantage of that,&quot; the RSS chief said.

Praising RSS workers, he said more than 1,70,000 volunteers are doing social service and they are willing to lay down their lives in the service of the nation.&nbsp;

He said there had been and there will be conspiracies against India's unity, but everyone will have to remain united

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that only India can show the right path to the world and everyone should work together for the unity of the country. Addressing the 'Rashtroday Sammelan' in western Uttar Pradesh Meerut, Bhagwat said everyone will have to unite for the country. He said there had been and there will be conspiracies against India's unity, but everyone will have to remain united. Union ministers from western Uttar Pradesh Mahesh Sharma, Gen V K Singh, Satyapal Singh, and state ministers Chetan Chauhan and Dharam Singh Saini were present at the programme. "All Hindus are one, say with pride we're one. Hindus must unite, this is our duty," Bhagwat said, stressing that if the country remains united, "we can cut through a lot of barriers." "If we don't remain united, the whole world can take advantage of that," the RSS chief said. Praising RSS workers, he said more than 1,70,000 volunteers are doing social service and they are willing to lay down their lives in the service of the nation.

Only India can show right path to world: Bhagwat

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday&nbsp;alleged that the idea of demonetisation came from a &quot;particular ideologue of the RSS&quot; and that the organisation was a big influence on prime minister Narendra Modi.

&quot;Do you know&nbsp;where the idea of notebandi &nbsp;(demonetisation) came from? It was not the RBI, not Arun Jaitley, it was not an officer in the finance&nbsp;ministry. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. The RSS presses an idea into the prime&nbsp;minister&#39;s mind and PM launches that idea,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi also&nbsp;accused the BJP of trying to capture the institutions of India and the RSS of trying to put its people into every institution.&nbsp;

&quot;BJP is trying to capture the institutions of India. The RSS is trying to put its people in every institution. You must have heard Mohan Bhagwat&#39;s remarks,&quot; the Congress president said.

Rahul Gandhi&#39;s remarks&nbsp;come in the context of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat&#39;s statement yesterday that the RSS had the power to form an army within three days while the Indian army would take six months to prepare society.&nbsp;

Mohan Bhagwat had said, &quot; If the Constitution allows and if any need arises the organisation will form an army in three days&quot;.&nbsp;

Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted that Mohan Bhagwat&#39;s remarks were an insult to every Indian, flag, and soldier.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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The RSS Chief&#39;s speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. 
 
It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. 
 
Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ApologiseRSS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ApologiseRSS</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gh7t4Ghgon">pic.twitter.com/Gh7t4Ghgon</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/962915922498412545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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When Modi Ji says that nothing was done in this country for last 70 years, he is disrespecting your parents, ancestors and the farmers. A country is not run by a single person: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bidar, Karnataka <a href="https://t.co/JBYRhtX11x">pic.twitter.com/JBYRhtX11x</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/963376056374841344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of trying to capture the institutions of India and the RSS of trying to put its people into every institution

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the idea of demonetisation came from a "particular ideologue of the RSS" and that the organisation was a big influence on prime minister Narendra Modi. "Do you know where the idea of notebandi (demonetisation) came from? It was not the RBI, not Arun Jaitley, it was not an officer in the finance ministry. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. The RSS presses an idea into the prime minister's mind and PM launches that idea," Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of trying to capture the institutions of India and the RSS of trying to put its people into every institution. "BJP is trying to capture the institutions of India. The RSS is trying to put its people in every institution. You must have heard Mohan Bhagwat's remarks," the Congress president said. Rahul Gandhi's remarks come in the context of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement yesterday that the RSS had the power to form an army within three days while the Indian army would take six months to prepare society. Mohan Bhagwat had said, " If the Constitution allows and if any need arises the organisation will form an army in three days". Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi had tweeted that Mohan Bhagwat's remarks were an insult to every Indian, flag, and soldier. The RSS Chief's speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army. #ApologiseRSS pic.twitter.com/Gh7t4Ghgon — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 12, 2018 × When Modi Ji says that nothing was done in this country for last 70 years, he is disrespecting your parents, ancestors and the farmers. A country is not run by a single person: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bidar, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/JBYRhtX11x — ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 ×

Idea of demonetisation came from RSS: Rahul Gandhi

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said India has forgotten all enmity against Pakistan but same is not the case with the neighbouring country.

Addressing a gathering of RSS &#39;swayamsevaks&#39; in North- East here, days before three states of the region go to polls, the RSS chief said India will survive as long as Hinduism thrives.

&quot;Struggle took place. Pakistan was born. &#39;Bharatvarsh&#39; forgot the enmity with Pakistan from August 15, 1947. Pakistan has not forgotten it yet. This is the difference between Hindu nature and other nature,&quot; Bhagwat said at the rally.

Bhagwat said all ancient civilisation such as Mahenjodaro, Harappa and our culture developed in places which are now in Pakistan.

&quot;Why didn&#39;t Pakistan tell (India) to take another name since every thing of &#39;Bharat&#39; has emerged from here. So we are &#39;Bharat&#39; and you take any other name.

&quot;They did not say this and rather wanted to separate from the name &#39;Bharat&#39;. Because they know that with the name &#39;Bharat&#39;, Hindutva comes in. And Hindutva is there, so is &#39;Bharat&#39;,&quot; he said.

The RSS chief said that despite its diversity, India was united because of Hindutva.

&quot;We have internal unity based on Hindutva and that is why India is a Hindu Rashtra,&quot; he said.

Bhagwat said India gives the world the message of humanity.

&quot;Others talk, but do not behave. India teaches others with its own behaviour. The world names this nature of &#39;Bharatvarsh&#39; as Hindutva. That is why the people of &#39;Bharatvarsh&#39; are called Hindu,&quot; he said.

&quot;If the people of India forget the Hindutva sentiment, then their relation with the country also gets snapped,&quot; he added.

Bhagwat said that during the formation of Bangladesh, the country did not merge with India despite having similarities with it because of lack of Hindu sentiment.

&quot;..after partition of Pakistan, why did Bengali-speaking Bangladesh not merge with &#39;Bharat&#39;? (Because) That sentiment is not there &mdash; Hindu sentiment... If Hindu sentiment is forgotten, then &#39;Bharat&#39; breaks,&quot; he said.

Bhagwat said India has been &quot;struggling&quot; for thousands of years despite its benevolent nature and now must fight to safeguard its culture and the onslaught of people &quot;who have a tendency to attack&quot;.

&quot;But we never become enemy, even while fighting. We do not hate others,&quot; he said.

Bhagwat also said that gau-raksha and gau-dependent farming is the only solution to the woes of Indian farmers and appealed to people to work in this direction.

The RSS chief said that despite its diversity, India was united because of Hindutva

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said India has forgotten all enmity against Pakistan but same is not the case with the neighbouring country. Addressing a gathering of RSS 'swayamsevaks' in North- East here, days before three states of the region go to polls, the RSS chief said India will survive as long as Hinduism thrives. "Struggle took place. Pakistan was born. 'Bharatvarsh' forgot the enmity with Pakistan from August 15, 1947. Pakistan has not forgotten it yet. This is the difference between Hindu nature and other nature," Bhagwat said at the rally. Bhagwat said all ancient civilisation such as Mahenjodaro, Harappa and our culture developed in places which are now in Pakistan. "Why didn't Pakistan tell (India) to take another name since every thing of 'Bharat' has emerged from here. So we are 'Bharat' and you take any other name. "They did not say this and rather wanted to separate from the name 'Bharat'. Because they know that with the name 'Bharat', Hindutva comes in. And Hindutva is there, so is 'Bharat'," he said. The RSS chief said that despite its diversity, India was united because of Hindutva. "We have internal unity based on Hindutva and that is why India is a Hindu Rashtra," he said. Bhagwat said India gives the world the message of humanity. "Others talk, but do not behave. India teaches others with its own behaviour. The world names this nature of 'Bharatvarsh' as Hindutva. That is why the people of 'Bharatvarsh' are called Hindu," he said. "If the people of India forget the Hindutva sentiment, then their relation with the country also gets snapped," he added. Bhagwat said that during the formation of Bangladesh, the country did not merge with India despite having similarities with it because of lack of Hindu sentiment. "..after partition of Pakistan, why did Bengali-speaking Bangladesh not merge with 'Bharat'? (Because) That sentiment is not there — Hindu sentiment... If Hindu sentiment is forgotten, then 'Bharat' breaks," he said. Bhagwat said India has been "struggling" for thousands of years despite its benevolent nature and now must fight to safeguard its culture and the onslaught of people "who have a tendency to attack". "But we never become enemy, even while fighting. We do not hate others," he said. Bhagwat also said that gau-raksha and gau-dependent farming is the only solution to the woes of Indian farmers and appealed to people to work in this direction.

India was united because of Hindutva: RSS chief

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the Indian flag this morning at a school in Kerala&#39;s Palakkad. Which really should not make the news but Bhagwat and the Kerala government have had a long-running feud over the hosting of the tricolour.&nbsp;

Bhagwat had defied a government order last year by hoisting the flag at a government-aided school in Kerala, again in Palakkad.&nbsp;

This year, the Kerala government had on January 17 said only the heads of institutions were to hoist the flag on Republic Day.&nbsp;But Bhagwat got around the directive with the RSS saying the school he hoisted the flag at this time around was not government-aided but run by the Sangh.&nbsp;

&quot;This is not a government or aided school. The school management will decide who has to hoist the flag,&quot; RSS&nbsp;state coordinator KK Balram told PTI. &quot;The government circular is not binding on us as it is a private school.&quot;&nbsp;

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Ours is a CBSE affiliated school &amp; not state supported. Nowhere it is prohibited,any citizen can hoist the National Flag : Devan Gopal, Principal of School where RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat unfurled the tricolour. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> <a href="https://t.co/eUsbBn65ku">pic.twitter.com/eUsbBn65ku</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956797032823324673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At the ceremony though, Bhagwat said the sort of things that usually find him in the news.&nbsp;

A symbol of the Hindu religion -- the colour saffron -- he said, appeared on the top of the flag.&nbsp;

The wheel at the centre, he said, was again a symbol of the Hindu&nbsp;religion.&nbsp;

And, he added, religion is the very foundation of life

A more common interpretation -- of the kind most Indian children learn in school -- of the three colours of the India flag goes something like this: the top saffron band symbolises the country&#39;s strength and courage, the middle white band symbolises peace and truth.&nbsp;And the bottom green band symbolises India&#39;s fertility, and auspiciousness.

Kerala and Mohan Bhagwat have had a long-running feud over the hoisting of the Indian flag

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the Indian flag this morning at a school in Kerala's Palakkad. Which really should not make the news but Bhagwat and the Kerala government have had a long-running feud over the hosting of the tricolour. Bhagwat had defied a government order last year by hoisting the flag at a government-aided school in Kerala, again in Palakkad. This year, the Kerala government had on January 17 said only the heads of institutions were to hoist the flag on Republic Day. But Bhagwat got around the directive with the RSS saying the school he hoisted the flag at this time around was not government-aided but run by the Sangh. "This is not a government or aided school. The school management will decide who has to hoist the flag," RSS state coordinator KK Balram told PTI. "The government circular is not binding on us as it is a private school." Ours is a CBSE affiliated school & not state supported. Nowhere it is prohibited,any citizen can hoist the National Flag : Devan Gopal, Principal of School where RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat unfurled the tricolour. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/eUsbBn65ku — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018 × At the ceremony though, Bhagwat said the sort of things that usually find him in the news. A symbol of the Hindu religion -- the colour saffron -- he said, appeared on the top of the flag. The wheel at the centre, he said, was again a symbol of the Hindu religion. And, he added, religion is the very foundation of life A more common interpretation -- of the kind most Indian children learn in school -- of the three colours of the India flag goes something like this: the top saffron band symbolises the country's strength and courage, the middle white band symbolises peace and truth. And the bottom green band symbolises India's fertility, and auspiciousness.

RSS chief gets around Kerala government's order, hoists tricolour at Sangh-run school

Following the backlash received over Mohan Bhagwat`s alleged disrespectful statement against the Indian army, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday said that his speech was being misrepresented.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-hits-out-at-rss-chief-for-insulting-army-32572"> Rahul Gandhi hits out at RSS chief for &#39;insulting&#39; army</a>

A statement issued by Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Manmohan Vaidya, read, &quot;Bhagwat ji had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, Indian army would take six months to prepare the society whereas Sangh Swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as Swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly.&quot;

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<h5>Bhagwat ji had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, Indian army would take six months to prepare the society whereas Sangh Swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as Swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly&#39;</h5>
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To this effect, Vaidya added, the statement was not a comparison between the Indian army and the Sangh Swayamsevaks, but a comparison between general society and swayamsevaks, when given the opportunity to be trained by the Indian Army.

Bhagwat`s statement sparked an outrage on social media following his speech in Bihar`s Muzaffarpur where he was reported to have said that RSS was capable of preparing military personnel in three days for which the Indian Army would take six to seven months.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The RSS said Bhagwat's statement was not a comparison between the Indian Army and swayamsevaks but a comparison between society and swayamsevaks

Following the backlash received over Mohan Bhagwat`s alleged disrespectful statement against the Indian army, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday said that his speech was being misrepresented. Also read: Rahul Gandhi hits out at RSS chief for 'insulting' army A statement issued by Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Manmohan Vaidya, read, "Bhagwat ji had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, Indian army would take six months to prepare the society whereas Sangh Swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as Swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly." Bhagwat ji had said that if situation arises and the Constitution permits, Indian army would take six months to prepare the society whereas Sangh Swayamsevaks can be trained in three days, as Swayamsevaks practise discipline regularly' × To this effect, Vaidya added, the statement was not a comparison between the Indian army and the Sangh Swayamsevaks, but a comparison between general society and swayamsevaks, when given the opportunity to be trained by the Indian Army. Bhagwat`s statement sparked an outrage on social media following his speech in Bihar`s Muzaffarpur where he was reported to have said that RSS was capable of preparing military personnel in three days for which the Indian Army would take six to seven months.

Bhagwat's speech being misrepresented: RSS

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit out at <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhawagts-statement-was-misrepresented-clarifies-rss-32571" target="_blank">RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat</a> for his latest speech on forming an army within three days.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying that the comment was an insult to every Indian, flag, and soldier.&nbsp;

Gandhi has also asked&nbsp;Bhagwat to apologise for his statements.

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The RSS Chief&#39;s speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. 
 
It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. 
 
Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ApologiseRSS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ApologiseRSS</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gh7t4Ghgon">pic.twitter.com/Gh7t4Ghgon</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/962915922498412545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While addressing an RSS organisation in Muzaffarpur&#39;s districts school RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that the organisation has the power to form an army within three days while the army will take about six-seven months in preparing.

He said, &quot; If the Constitution allows and if any need arises the&nbsp;organisation will form an army in three days&quot;.&nbsp;

Bhagwat said the youth gets the required inspiration and physical power after joining the RSS, where they are taught to devote themselves to the motherland and also adhere to Indian values.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying that the comment made by the RSS chief was an insult to every Indian, flag, and soldier

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit out at RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat for his latest speech on forming an army within three days. Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying that the comment was an insult to every Indian, flag, and soldier. Gandhi has also asked Bhagwat to apologise for his statements. The RSS Chief's speech is an insult to every Indian, because it disrespects those who have died for our nation. It is an insult to our flag because it insults every soldier who ever saluted it. Shame on you Mr Bhagwat, for disrespecting our martyrs and our Army. #ApologiseRSS pic.twitter.com/Gh7t4Ghgon — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 12, 2018 × While addressing an RSS organisation in Muzaffarpur's districts school RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that the organisation has the power to form an army within three days while the army will take about six-seven months in preparing. He said, " If the Constitution allows and if any need arises the organisation will form an army in three days". Bhagwat said the youth gets the required inspiration and physical power after joining the RSS, where they are taught to devote themselves to the motherland and also adhere to Indian values.

Rahul Gandhi hits out at RSS chief for 'insulting' army

While addressing the RSS organisation in Muzaffarpur&#39;s districts school RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that the&nbsp;organisation has the power to form an army within three days.&nbsp;

He said, &quot; If the Constitution allows and if any need arises the&nbsp;organisation will form an army in three days&quot;.&nbsp;

Bhagwat said the youth gets the required inspiration and physical power after joining the RSS, where they are taught to devote themselves to the motherland and also adhere to Indian values.&nbsp;

While referring to India China war he said that the RSS was guarding the border until the Indian forces arrived in the Sikkim&#39;s Tejpur border.&nbsp;

He was addressing the last day of his six-day visit to Muzzafarnagar.

He said, 'If the Constitution allows and if any need arises his organisation will form an army in three days'

While addressing the RSS organisation in Muzaffarpur's districts school RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that the organisation has the power to form an army within three days. He said, " If the Constitution allows and if any need arises the organisation will form an army in three days". Bhagwat said the youth gets the required inspiration and physical power after joining the RSS, where they are taught to devote themselves to the motherland and also adhere to Indian values. While referring to India China war he said that the RSS was guarding the border until the Indian forces arrived in the Sikkim's Tejpur border. He was addressing the last day of his six-day visit to Muzzafarnagar.

RSS has power to form army within 3 days: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

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