In the interview to Organiser, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat elaborated the difference between samarasta and equality, he said, “Equality is economic and political and we are striving for social equality, without which first two will be meaningless. Fraternity is Samarasta (Social harmony); the edifice of freedom and equality rests on fraternity. Equality without freedom brings restrictions and if it has to be sustainable, then the basis of fraternity is inevitable. This sense of brotherhood is Samarasta. Even after legislating laws against casteism and untouchability, inequalities do not go away as it resides in mind. It has to be mentally eradicated. We are equal because all are ours has to be the conviction. Even if we do not look alike, we belong to each other, we are bound by affinity, and this is called Samarasta. It is nothing but sense of affinity and fraternity”.
He also spoke that women’s upliftment is not dependent on men; they will do it themselves. Women will empower themselves and it will automatically empower everyone. “In the early days of the Sangh, around 1933, it was decided that the work of personality development and social organisation among women would be done by the Rashtra Sevika Samiti. It continues to function effectively. Whenever Samiti expects Sangh to work among women (for the Shakha work), then only we will think about it”.
He further added that, “another aspect is, the RSS shakha format is designed for men, but women observe and attend freely. Also, the Sangh doesn’t function only on the basis of male karyakartas—mothers and sisters support the work fully, then only Sangh functions. Every woman in a Swayamsevak’s family is part and parcel of the Sangh”.
“Women also work together with Swayamsevaks in various organisations. They also have representation and active participation in the meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (national council – the highest decision making body) of the Sangh. Some of these women have led major survey on status of women which the Government has also accepted. Last year, massive women’s conferences were held with lakhs in attendance. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh supported and cooperated in all these works. We believe that women’s upliftment is not dependent on men; they will do it themselves. Women will empower themselves and it will automatically empower everyone. Hence, we give emphasise on supporting them for what they think is necessary for their transformation”, he said.
On how Sangh promote inclusivity given Bharat’s linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity, he said, “come and see yourself, people from all languages, sects, and backgrounds work together in the Sangh, with a great joy. The Sangh songs are there not just in Hindi but in multiple languages. Each language has poets, singers and composers who compose patriotic and inspirational songs of Sangh, and yet the three songs in different languages assigned during the Sangh Shiksha Varg are sung across Bharat. While retaining the unique identity, everyone is working by upholding the sense of one nationhood and unity and integrity of the nation. This is Sangh – that provides a thread to put all diversities in one garland of unity”.
