RSS image makeover ‘needs more action’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20

Irrespective of the outcome of this unprecedented outreach initiative by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), its chief Mohan Bhagwat appeared to project the organisation as being more pragmatic in its approach to various issues that confront the country.

After nine decades of its existence, the organisation that jealously guards its functioning leading to a ring of opaqueness around it, Bhagwat portrayed a picture of the RSS being democratic in arriving at decisions through consensus and not necessarily being dogmatic to ideals propounded by its prime promoter in Guru Golwalkar, successor to its founder KB Hegdewar.

Savour this: Taking a series of questions at the end of his three-day exposition of RSS and its work, when asked about Golwakar in his “Bunch of Thoughts” calling Muslims as enemy, Bhagwat sought to underscore that every statement should be seen in the context of time and circumstances. He said the RSS has come out with a book “Guruji: Vision and Mission” in which all remarks narrated in contemporary context were removed and thoughts having an enduring value retained.

For an organisation that went public with its approach before an invited audience, the RSS adopted dexterity in choosing to take questions submitted beforehand which covered most of the issues that have been raised against the working style of the Sangh over the past many years.

These ranged from views on Uniform Civil Code, Article 370, Ram temple, reservation, caste and inter-caste relationships, conversions, preservation or change in the current form of parliamentary system of governance, internal democratic practice and maintenance of accounts books etc. This was after Bhagwat over the past two days articulated among other things RSS’ acceptance of the Constitution, the Flag, and views on Muslims.

If after the initial two days of talk gave an impression of the RSS holding a different view on policies, decisions and control over the BJP government at the Centre, on the last day Bhagwat’s candid responses also sounded as a subtle endorsement of the policies of its political arm, the BJP and its government. The RSS can claim the Modi government policies reflect its views and not vice-versa.

While Bhagwat tried to reset the organisational image, it will require translation that is much more diligent on the ground.