The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has now completed 100 years of its existence. Anyone who dispassionately studies the history of the RSS, its past activities, action plans, and future objectives, cannot but feel a sense of satisfaction about this organisation, which is dedicated to the cause of Mother India.
I am now 80 years of age, and I remember attending shakhas (gatherings or group meetings conducted under the auspices of the RSS) when I was eleven or twelve years old. The shakha used to take place in the evening for about an hour on most days. It would start and end with a prayer invoking the blessings of Mother India. During the programme, participants of different age groups were encouraged to do physical exercises, and stories were told about the great Indian scholars and achievers of the past in diverse fields. I never came across any hateful talk or action.
I now realise that the essential objective of conducting shakhas is to instil a sense of pride and discipline among the participants, along with faith in the future of India.
After attending shakhas for some time, I stopped going—not because I or my parents had any misgivings, but simply because I wanted to play cricket in the evenings. While I never became a member of the RSS, my warm and appreciative memories of those shakha sessions remain fresh even today.
Given this background, I often wonder why some groups severely criticise the RSS, question its motives, and label its activities as “non-secular” — whatever that may mean.
For several decades, I have read in the media about RSS volunteers rushing to help people in distress during accidents, floods, earthquakes, epidemics, and other natural disasters, doing their best to assist those in need.
A few years ago, a patient known to me had to undergo heart surgery, and a specific blood group was urgently required. The hospital made it clear that the operation—critically needed at that time—could not proceed without it. Despite the best efforts, the patient’s relatives could not find the required blood, and the situation became desperate. When I learnt of this, I approached an RSS volunteer (whom I had not met before) and requested his help. He assured me that the required blood would be donated in time. A few hours before the operation, a group of volunteers quietly went to the hospital, donated the necessary blood, and left silently. The operation was successfully carried out, and to this day, I have never met the donors. Such acts of compassion and humanity are of an extraordinary standard. Whenever I think of the RSS, this incident immediately comes to mind.
One aspect I recall from my shakha days is that there were no girls or women participants—it was entirely a male gathering. Even today, I do not know to what extent women participate in RSS activities or whether their numbers are small.
As a senior citizen with no particular bias at this stage of life, I firmly believe that any description of the RSS’s philosophy, principles, methods, or activities as anti-social or anti-national is unacceptable.
It is a fact that the RSS does not conceal that its outlook is centred on protecting India’s traditional and cultural value system, which naturally reflects the ethos of Hindu philosophy and scriptures developed over several centuries. It is also true that the RSS seeks to prevent the erosion of the Hindu population through conversion by certain religious propagandists.
The RSS is aware that Hinduism originated in India, whereas religions such as Christianity and Islam came from abroad. This historical reality stems from India’s having been under the rule of Muslim and British powers for nearly a thousand years. The RSS accepts this situation as it exists today and repeatedly states that people of all religions should coexist in India with goodwill and understanding.
Issues often arise when attempts are made to convert gullible Hindus to other religions through inducements or other means. When the RSS objects to such activities, it is often labelled as “non-secular” or even “Hindu extremist.” However, such allegations have not stood the test of time. Today, many believe that the RSS is a necessary organisation to preserve India’s cultural and traditional values in an ever-changing world.
In recent times, the RSS has also begun expressing views on socio-economic matters and industrial policies, keeping in mind technological developments and global trends. This clearly indicates that the RSS is keen to fine-tune its approach and philosophy in light of changing circumstances.
