“Until faults like weakness, selfishness, indifference to society, etc remain as they are, we will not be able to call ourselves as ‘good people’ i.e. sajjan. And until we become sajjan, almighty will consider us as weak and only help in our destruction. But, when we really become sajjan and prove that we are ready to sacrifice everything for welfare of the country, Dharma and society, then almighty will definitely help us”
— RSS Founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar
Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat delivered a landmark lecture series, organised by the Delhi Prant of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), commemorating the centenary year of the world’s largest voluntary organisation. Though the media has tried to pick up the headlines from the third day’s question and answer session and, as usual tried to find a political messaging by the Sarsaghachalak, it was a comprehensive overview of the hundred year journey, contemporary global challenges and possible role for Bharat and what RSS intends to do by taking all the righteous forces together in the coming years.
The first and foremost point that the RSS Sarsanghchalak made while initiating the dialogue was that the event is not there to convince the audience but to inform. As most of the people carry perceptions about the Sangh that are based on the constructs by the British colonial narratives or carried forward by Communists, academicians and media houses. The positioning that giving authentic information is important, not for convincing, is important because ‘conversion to a certain faith or ideology is not in tune with the Bharatiya tradition’ as the Sarsanghchalak repetitively remarked. Awakening Bharat from the slumber of colonial constructs and viewing diversity as differences, leading to various fault lines based on identities, has been the primary objective of the Sangh. Since its inception, the Sangh has been clear about organising the entire society to realise the destined role of Bharat. The seed sown a hundred years ago has evolved into a tree that provides shade and fruit to all sections of society. People ranging from top intellectuals, academicians, scientists, and bureaucrats to community leaders of various groups were invited to gain an authentic understanding of the RSS. They had the opportunity to ask any questions they had in mind. While doing so, the intent was always clear, presenting the organisational conviction about Bharat and not to convert the audience into some ideological group.
The world is facing multiple levels of crisis, and all of them are rooted in ‘crass capitalism and mindless consumerism’. Extreme individualism is a menace that creates problems for all societies, and the seven sins mentioned by Gandhiji are gripping both the social and individual psyche. The Dharma-based vision of Bharat, where individual and collective, scientific and spiritual, material progress and environmental protection are seen as complementary and not conflictual, can provide a key to the nation-state system’s unending problems. Here, the Panch-Parivartan – the five-fold transformative programme taken up by the Sangh becomes critical. Unless practised by the people who are part of the organisation, the people of Bharat will not emulate it. Unless Bharat presents a Dharmic model of lifestyle and development, the world will not recognise it.
Of course, his answers to uncensored questions, ranging from dispelling myths about the organisations to clarifying the Sangh’s stands on various issues, were the icing on the cake. However, it was the call to experience the organisation from within, rather than developing perceptions based on secondary sources, that was critical. More important was the declaration that to achieve this life mission of the Hindu nation, which is to deliver the message of a spirituality-based living and finding coordination in apparent contradictions, is critical for the conviction of all sections of society about who they are as a Rashtra. Hindu Rashtra is a fact of life and not something to be achieved, was his candid reiteration. Bharat can touch New Horizons only if we realise the inherent unity of Bharat based on common Sanskriti, ancestry and Motherland. It must be a matter of conviction for everyone to mitigate domestic and global challenges, rather than relying on deceitful conversions to faiths or ideologies. The centenary of RSS is an opportunity for all to join the national cause and rekindle the collective sense of purpose.
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