RSS decision to introduce change may pay political dividends
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5733046440956678253&SectionId=4861338933482912746&SectionName=Blog&NewsTitle=RSS%20decision%20to%20introduce%20change%20may%20pay%20political%20dividends
The nine-decade-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has shown some signs of changes in the recent past. For a long time, the functioning of this organisation was shrouded in mystery. The common people or even the mediapersons were never familiar with this body’s office-bearers or senior functionaries as it was their policy to shun the media and thus they deliberately kept themselves away from the limelight. It was almost a taboo for the RSS functionaries to brief the media on their activities. This had an adverse impact on the image of the voluntary body. It had encouraged rival organisations like those affiliated to the leftist ideologies or the so-called secular forces to treat the RSS like an ‘untouchable’ body. The RSS was banned post assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and during the Emergency period and even now some or the other bodies repeat the demand to impose a ban on it. But now RSS is showing signs that it may be changing.
The RSS has for the first time shown some signs of opening up when its leaders along with its Parivar bodies had joined hands with the socialist and various other centrist parties to form the Janata Party after the Emergency. The honeymoon, however, was short lived with the socialist leaders raising the bogey of ‘dual membership’ of the erstwhile Jan Sangh members, leading to the first break-up of the Janata Party.
After that, the RSS had returned to its shell and continued consolidating its base among the masses.
In the recent few years however, breaking from its traditions, the RSS has been holding media briefings. It has also been conducting workshops for mediapersons and others to dispel the myths, apprehensions and fears related to this organisation. The mega event hosted by the RSS at Marunje near Hinjewadi recently was another manifestation of the transformation of this organisation.
The apex body of the Sangh Parivar has always professed to be an all-inclusive Hindu organisation, representing all sections within the Hindu community. The RSS has now decided to expand its base in the areas and among the communities which used to treat it like an anathema. To achieve its objective, the RSS is shedding some of its old baggage in order to be more receptive to majority sections of the Hindu community. For the past few decades it has been making conscious efforts to remove the tag of being a party of the Brahmins.
The organisation has long back welcomed dalit icon and the architect of Indian Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in the list of persons most venerable. This was indeed to eliminate any kind of apprehension the dalits may have had towards the RSS. It has been doing so without compromising on its hardline Hindutva ideology. It is an heartening sign that this cadre-based organisation is in the process of a makeover to win the hearts of a large section of society.
The conscious decision to undergo transformation in its structure, mindset and openness to the society may be paying rich dividends. Those who are now being exposed to the functioning of this organisation are normally left in awe about the discipline of the RSS cadre, their organisational capabilities and dedication to their mission in various fields. Transparency in its functioning and an all-inclusive policy will indeed help the organisation in reaching out to larger sections of society and earn their goodwill and also dispel any kind of misgivings.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed within this blog is personal opinion of the author. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the blog do not reflect the views of Sakal and Sakal does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Wednesday, 6 January 2016 AT 11:58 AM IST
The nine-decade-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has shown some signs of changes in the recent past. For a long time, the functioning of this organisation was shrouded in mystery. The common people or even the mediapersons were never familiar with this body’s office-bearers or senior functionaries as it was their policy to shun the media and thus they deliberately kept themselves away from the limelight. It was almost a taboo for the RSS functionaries to brief the media on their activities. This had an adverse impact on the image of the voluntary body. It had encouraged rival organisations like those affiliated to the leftist ideologies or the so-called secular forces to treat the RSS like an ‘untouchable’ body. The RSS was banned post assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and during the Emergency period and even now some or the other bodies repeat the demand to impose a ban on it. But now RSS is showing signs that it may be changing.
The RSS has for the first time shown some signs of opening up when its leaders along with its Parivar bodies had joined hands with the socialist and various other centrist parties to form the Janata Party after the Emergency. The honeymoon, however, was short lived with the socialist leaders raising the bogey of ‘dual membership’ of the erstwhile Jan Sangh members, leading to the first break-up of the Janata Party.
After that, the RSS had returned to its shell and continued consolidating its base among the masses.
In the recent few years however, breaking from its traditions, the RSS has been holding media briefings. It has also been conducting workshops for mediapersons and others to dispel the myths, apprehensions and fears related to this organisation. The mega event hosted by the RSS at Marunje near Hinjewadi recently was another manifestation of the transformation of this organisation.
The apex body of the Sangh Parivar has always professed to be an all-inclusive Hindu organisation, representing all sections within the Hindu community. The RSS has now decided to expand its base in the areas and among the communities which used to treat it like an anathema. To achieve its objective, the RSS is shedding some of its old baggage in order to be more receptive to majority sections of the Hindu community. For the past few decades it has been making conscious efforts to remove the tag of being a party of the Brahmins.
The organisation has long back welcomed dalit icon and the architect of Indian Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in the list of persons most venerable. This was indeed to eliminate any kind of apprehension the dalits may have had towards the RSS. It has been doing so without compromising on its hardline Hindutva ideology. It is an heartening sign that this cadre-based organisation is in the process of a makeover to win the hearts of a large section of society.
The conscious decision to undergo transformation in its structure, mindset and openness to the society may be paying rich dividends. Those who are now being exposed to the functioning of this organisation are normally left in awe about the discipline of the RSS cadre, their organisational capabilities and dedication to their mission in various fields. Transparency in its functioning and an all-inclusive policy will indeed help the organisation in reaching out to larger sections of society and earn their goodwill and also dispel any kind of misgivings.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed within this blog is personal opinion of the author. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the blog do not reflect the views of Sakal and Sakal does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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