Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh shocked everyone. Also, perhaps it’s ‘swayamsevaks’ (volunteers) when it is indicated to support the caste census. Has the upper caste-dominated Hindutva organisation changed its heart and is ready to embrace those who have been on the margins of society for centuries? Or has the saffron outfit succumbed to the pressure of the Opposition parties batting for the welfare of the backward castes and classes? At a time when the BJP has adopted an ambivalent approach and parried queries on the thorny issue, its supposed parent organisation has opened a new front and expressed its willingness to fall in the line to the Opposition parties.
RSS On Caste Census
After a brainstorming session of Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak (All India Co-ordination Meeting) of the RSS, its publicity chief Sunil Ambekar said since caste and caste relations in Hindu society are a sensitive issue, and also important for the unity and integrity of the nation, it should be handled carefully, it should be done only for politics or elections.
The publicity chief of the Hindutva organisation added the RSS thinks that special attention should be paid to the government welfare schemes to those who are backward and if the government needs data, it is an established tradition.
RSS Warns Of Census
Sunil Ambekar further said that reservation is very important and the Sangh has always supported it. He said what happened in the court is a very sensitive issue and legal officers should take action on it. The RSS publicity chief said further that there should be a consensus among all communities, including those who get the benefit of the reservation system. No step should be taken before that.
RSS Shifts Gears
This is in clear contrast to what RSS Regional Publicity Head Pramod Bapat said earlier that instead of debate on the reservation, it should be evaluated what benefit has been received by those who get a reservation.
Earlier before the Bihar Assembly Elections 2015, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat said that the reservation should be revised. His statement triggered a controversy over the reservation system.
A clear shift in the approach of the saffron outfit is evident by the fact that the organization that once doubted the reservation system is now supporting the caste census.
RSS Attempts To Woo SC/ST, OBC
Political analysts believe that the RSS and the BJP know it well that with increased political awareness among the SC/ST and OBC communities, it cannot win elections without their support. Five of the six heads of the upper caste-dominated Hindutva outfit were Brahmins. Rajinder Singh alias Rajju Bhaiya was the only non-Brahmin ‘Sarsanghchalak’ or head, he was a Rajput or, another upper cast.
RSS Aims At Consolidated Hindu Vote Bank
Observers believe the RSS wants to change its political outlook and shift its stand to accommodate the people of the SC/ST and the OBC so that it can consolidate all of them into a broader Hindu community. The saffron outfit aims to unite all Hindus and convert them into a unified vote bank who vote in tandem cutting across caste obligations. It will make Hinduism a strong block that will be unshakable politically.
Has RSS Changed?
With this broader aim and high ambition, the RSS has toned down its approach towards the people on the margins. Political analysts believe it is too early to say that the RSS is not dominated by upper-caste Hindus or it has left behind its penchant for Manusmriti, it still cannot be said that the saffron outfit wants a caste-less Hindu society. Its recent overture indicates political shrewdness, rather than the heart of change.
Opposition Question RSS’s Intention
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media platform X and challenged the RSS to speak out in unambiguous terms in favor of the caste census. He wrote in an article, “Let RSS tell the country clearly if it is in favor of the caste census or against it. Is Sangh, which stands for Manusmriti instead of the Constitution, concerned at the participation of Dalits, tribals, backward communities, the poor and marginalized segments?”
RSS स्पष्ट रूप से देश को बताएँ कि वो जातिगत जनगणना के पक्ष में है या विरोध में है?
देश के संविधान के बजाय मनुस्मृति के पक्ष में होने वाले संघ परिवार को क्या दलित, आदिवासी, पिछड़े वर्ग व ग़रीब-वंचित समाज की भागीदारी की चिंता है या नहीं?
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 2, 2024
Ex-Chief Minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav said no one can stop the caste census. RJD leader and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejaswi Yadav said the RSS has nothing to do with the reservation, they want to change B R Ambedkar’s Constitution.
As opposition exerts pressure on the government and the BJP, the saffron outfit will come out clear stand on the caste census.
