“The ABKM, in line with the attitude of extending constructive co-operation of Sangh to the duly elected Government on national issues offers its best wishes to the new regime and urges it to initiate urgent and firm measures to solve the many crucial problems facing the country. The Karyakari Mandal appeals to the Government to get over the hangovers of the previous regimes, and work out a national consensus on the steps to effectively neutralise the threats posed in Punjab, Kashmir, Assam and certain other areas, by foreign-inspired, antinational, disruptive forces, as also to overcome the critical economic situation.” – 1991: On Election Results – People’s Mandate, Resolution passed by the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
At the valedictory session of Karyakarta Vikas Varg – II, a training programme of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat articulated the collective wisdom for which the Sangh stands. Like a family head, Dr Bhagwat had a message for all the constituents of Bharat as a Rashtra. To decode the larger message of his speech, we need to understand the context and contours of this valedictory address and the way Sangh is preparing society to be part of the national transformation, leading to providing solutions for global challenges.
The Karyakarta vikas varg – II is the highest level training programme of 25 days participated by 936 Swayamsevaks – who are functioning as office-bearers at some level of the organisation. This programme, held annually, is a crucial part of the RSS’s efforts to equip its members with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to society. Through this rigorous training, they are equipped with the skills and approach to impart their expected duties efficiently in their respective area of functioning. Though such training has been taking place since the inception of Sangh, it has attained prominent national attention in the last few years. Irrespective of the political context, the content and contours of the message on such occasions remain the same.
The address of Sarsanghchalak can be broadly divided into three parts. Firstly, he discussed the elections. The trainees remained disconnected from the election-related cacophony during the programme. They had to be apprised of the outside atmosphere, as they expected to focus on societal work after returning to their respective places. Sarsanghchalak expressed displeasure over the nature of the election campaign from both sides of the political spectrum. The way falsehood was spread with the misuse of technology and faultlines on social, religious, regional and linguistic lines were further widened, especially by the Opposition parties. Both trends are disturbing for an aspirational democratic society like ours. Sangh intends to become coterminous with the entire society, not just be a separate organisational entity. That is why Sangh did not become a political organisation. Hence, Sangh’s cautioning the deteriorating standards of the election campaign is natural and understandable. In a Parliamentary democracy, adhering to a certain code of conduct while engaging in electoral politics is the constitutional expectation. Elections are not to increase inter-party or inter-society divisions. It is meant to elect the representatives who would deliberate and evolve consensus on national issues. Opposition is not an adversary but represents an alternative viewpoint. Once the elections are over, we need not remain entangled in the campaign mindset. Otherwise, we will not be able to address ongoing national challenges. Sangh moves on once refining public opinion is done during the elections; everyone should follow the same. This message is for all the political parties, civil society activists, media houses and society.
Sarsanghchalak expresses the collective wisdom of the Sangh, and reviewing the contemporary national scenario is the common practice that the organisation follows. Despite making strides in economy, military preparedness, sports, art and culture, the challenges related to the economic development model, climate change, degradation of family values and increasing caste and religion-based tensions are some challenges Sarsanghachalak addressed comprehensively. Aren’t these concerns for all of us? How do we address these challenges? He came up with the fourfold approach. Firstly, Dr Bhagwat focussed on evolving the models and institutions based on our selfhood. Mindlessly following Western development parameters would lead us to the same problems those societies are facing. That is why providing an alternative model of wealth creation rooted in the Bharatiya philosophy is our civilisational responsibility. While doing so, the contributions of modern knowledge and technology should not be negated. We need to find a synthesis. Secondly, historical reasons for social divisions need to be addressed consciously. Historical injustice and associated pains are the root causes of the emergence of caste or religious identities and social tensions. We can resolve this problem only by correcting the historical mistakes and simultaneously keeping aside the pains of history. Thirdly, societal and spiritual transformation is the pre-condition for systemic transformation. Even leadership would emerge and deliver when society is ready to accept those changes. Sarsaghchalak explained the same with the examples of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the French Revolution. Fourthly, the change should start at the individual and family levels. Following the five principles of social transformation that RSS has insisted on is meant to facilitate this fundamental lifestyle change. Inculcating family values and performing all the civic duties enshrined in the Constitution at the individual level is the starting point for the systemic transformations we wish to attain.
Sangh Shakha, the local unit of the RSS, is a training ground for building such a society through consistent physical, mental and psychological exercise. The trainees who participated in the twenty five days programme are expected to dedicate themselves and increase the Sangh work to build such a society which would be ready to fulfil the civilisational objectives of Bharat. That was the crux of Sarsanghchalak’s speech.
As the above quote indicates, RSS passed a resolution after the 1991 General Elections. It was against the backdrop of the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement and the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Still, the tone of the resolution is a call for all the political parties to work together to find solutions for facing the prevailing challenges. On all other occasions, like Partition, wars, the emergence of regionalism and coalition politics, caste-based agitation, separatist movements, etc, RSS has played a constructive role in facilitating dialogue and reconciling divergent positions. Society-centric transformation and not merely political-centric are the fundamental philosophical conviction of the Sangh. The historic, timely and eye-opening speech of Sarsanghchalak Bhagwat in the backdrop of ferociously competitive elections should be seen in this light. Coming together and working collectively to mitigate the national challenges is the central message of this speech. By reducing it to political rhetoric around the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party relationship, the media, as usual, missed the larger points he made for the society and Sangh Swayamsevaks. The call is to be part of the solution, not the problem; be the change and contribute to the transformative journey of Bharat through the movement called Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
