The RSS has never discriminated against anyone on the basis of caste since its founding. The belief in “Samta,” “Mamta,” and “Samrasata,” which is both materially and emotionally associated with a sense of belonging, has long been held by Sangh Swayamsevaks. By preaching the truth and implementing it on the ground, RSS has made tremendous efforts to end caste distinction and untouchability in our nation as a whole. In its centennial year, the RSS began working on a five-point plan known as “Panch Parivartan” to rebuild the great nation. Social equanimity is one. The RSS has its own way of explaining the relationship of castes and communities with the entire society. The approach is that, like all parts of the body, every section is important and all of them are interdependent too. Like the relationship of a body part with the entire body, every section of society relates with the society at large. This relationship is simultaneously related mutually as well as with the entire body. Hence the very question of a superiority-inferiority conflict is resolved with this interdependence, complemented by the spirit of co-working and mutuality.
Why is it so important to work on this point?
Foreign invaders thoroughly researched and analyzed Hindu vulnerabilities and fault lines. In order to split Hindu society and maintain their power for a longer amount of time, they so utilized poisonous tactics. Their main strategy was to divide Hindus along caste lines, which they were successful in doing, so that Hindus would begin to hate one another. As a great nation, we have endured a great deal of social, economic, and spiritual suffering. We continue to suffer as a society and as a nation because of this mindset. According to Angus Maddison’s book, the largest economy in terms of GDP prior to the British invasion was devastated during British rule, and the GDP was less than 3% after they left Bharat.
The British have taken advantage of weaker Hindus because of the caste divide by stealing gold and other natural resources, farm products, and forest wealth that our Adivasi brothers and sisters have created over the years. They have also converted many Hindus and destroyed the social fabric. Islamic extremists have also used the Hindu divide to attack Hindus violently in many locations, and many Christian pastors have used and continue to use it to convert Hindus and poison their minds against our wonderful nation and culture. Deep state global market forces continue to split Hindus along caste lines by employing these strategies with internal enemies. When it comes to the Hindu community, caste prejudice should be removed since Hindu society is so split by caste that a large gap has been established. Caste discrimination creates a sense of non-cooperation in society, resulting in class conflicts, which ultimately to devastation. There is no doubt that Bharat is designated as a Hindu majority nation, which is a source of pride for all Hindus around the world. External and internal foes are currently exploiting Hindus’ weaknesses to carry out destructive acts. Due to Hindus’ weakness, the population statistics of other communities in Bharat are constantly increasing, which may eventually lead to Bharat’s dissolution. The caste-based division is indirectly accountable for most of this, and it must be eliminated before Bharat can move forward in terms of its overall leadership and development.
In Bharat, caste is a universal component. Hindus make up the majority and only by dividing people into castes or encouraging casteism can political power be gained or religious conversions be made. Christians and Muslims also have castes, with distinctions between high, low, and pure-impure castes—the worst kind of discrimination. However Deep state global business forces and numerous political parties believe it is beneficial to keep Hindus divided. We must be united and have a strong sense of belonging if we truly hope to see our nation grow and become “Vishwaguru” by 2047.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s battle against caste prejudice aimed to bring Hindus together
Babasaheb was not anti-Hindu, but he was opposed to certain malpractices and few unfair customs of Hindu dharm. If he hated Hindu dharm, he would have changed to Islam or Christianity to further undermine Hindu dharm. However, he adopted Buddhism since its beliefs are very similar to those of Hindu dharm. Many detractors of Hindu dharm mention a few of his lines against Hindu dharm, but we must remember that those were reactions at the time, and reactions are fleeting emotions that cannot determine anyone’s character or thought process. The majority of the reactions were out of anger against some practices, thus it makes little sense to claim that he was anti-Hindu. When we use harsh words for our family members, we do so out of love in order to effect constructive change, much as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did. His fame and power at the time could have allowed him to cause significant harm to Hindus and Bharat, however he was a patriot and was aware of the facts. Can we imagine the ramifications if he accepted the Christianity or Islam?
He was aware that every religion and ideology carried flaws that needed to be addressed and fixed. He was hopeful that Hindus would take steps to eliminate societal inequality, therefore he established a timeframe for Hindu leaders to take corrective action. However, the strong caste division among Hindus, as well as the slavery mentality fostered throughout time by Mughals and Britishers, made it impossible for Hindus to overcome this issue of societal inequality. Doctor Ambedkar realized that the hurdles erected by the Congress and Communist parties were also contributing to Hindu decline.
See what the third Sarsanghchalak, Balasaheb Deoras ji, stated about untouchability
If the caste system and untouchability are to be abolished, change must be brought about among those who believe in it. Instead of attacking or battling such people, there may be another option. I was fortunate to work with Dr. Hedgewar, the Sangh’s founder. He used to assert, “We don’t have to believe in or follow untouchability.”
On this basis, he also developed Sangh Shakhas, a number of courses and programs. There were also those who held different views back then. However, Doctor ji was sure that they would undoubtedly concur with his ideas tomorrow, if not today. As a result, he didn’t raise a fuss about it, get into a fight with someone, or take any negative action against someone for disobedience. because he had no doubt that the other person had the best of intentions as well. Because of certain habits, he might be hesitant at first, but given enough time, he will undoubtedly learn from his mistakes.
In the early days, in a Sangh camp, some brothers expressed hesitation in eating with SC community brothers. Doctor ji did not tell them the rules or expel them from the camp. All other volunteers, Doctor ji and I sat together for the meal. Those who were hesitant, sat separately. But later, during the second meal, the same brothers himself came and sat with all of us. – Late Bala Saheb Deoras Ji, Pune Vasant Lecture Series (1974)
When Mahatma Gandhi and later Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar visited RSS camps, they were satisfied that in the RSS, castes or details of social background are neither asked nor given any importance. During the birth centenary of Ambedkar some 23 years earlier, many in the RSS ensured that a portrait of Ambedkar adorned their homes. Many, like Girish Prabhune of Pune, have been untiringly working for the upliftment of the Paradhis and similar denotified, nomadic tribal communities.
How does the Sangh and its affiliated organizations and institutes seek to benefit marginalized groups in society?
A few decades back RSS Sar Sangh Chalak Pujya Shri Guruji inspired a renowned freedom fighter Shri Rama Kant (Bala Saheb) Deshpande to start the Kalyan Ashram for the service and economic development of tribal society. Today that seed has grown into a mass movement. Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has built up its presence in almost every nook and corner of tribal Bharat serving through hospitals, schools, hostels, balwadis, adult education centers and various other humanitarian activities. From Andamans to Leh and from Arunachal to Nilgiri hills, there is a wide network of dedicated workers, men and women alike, who have silently brought about deep changes in the lives of the tribals.
Ironically, while certain colonial ‘scholars’ and anthropologists continued to label various tribes as ‘criminal tribes’, ‘head hunters’, and so on, aggressive proselytizers contemptuously referred to them as heathens and pagans, posing themselves as the sole emancipators of their ‘sinful’ souls.
However, RSS and other allied organizations demonstrated the true history of tribals and how they supported Prabhu Ram and Krishna. Their war against the British rule and injustice. Every year, tribal freedom fighters are recalled and honored with reverence. Society must clearly perceive that colonials and communists have always despised and degraded tribals, whereas the Sangh and its affiliates have always treated them as brothers and sisters.
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram promotes the well-being of Janjatis (Adivasis) through a range of humanitarian activities throughout Bharat. Out of 397 tribal districts, 338 have various initiatives to help indigenous people. Work is being done in 52323 villages to enhance people’s lives, with more villages to be included in the future. Aside from economic activities, local culture is encouraged and promoted. The goal of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram is to work for the complete development of each tribal brother and sister. In addition, other sports facilities are being built in various locations.
Sewa Bharti
Rashtriya Sewa Bharati, a social service organization inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), manages over 35,000 projects aimed at improving healthcare, education, and employability for the underprivileged in urban slums, remote areas, and tribal communities. The organization was founded in 1989 after Balasaheb Deoras, the third RSS Sarsanghchalak, called a meeting in Delhi in 1979 to establish an organization that would solely work with the poor and vulnerable in the areas of healthcare and education. In order to restore the nation’s greatness, let us bring Hindus together by eliminating caste discrimination.
