‘RSS spent a century trying to make India a Hindu-first nation’
NN Desk :
The New York Times has recently published a scathing report on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), marking the centennial of the Hindu nationalist organisation with a detailed critique of its extremist ideology and growing political influence.
The report raises serious concerns about the organisation’s impact on India’s secular identity, religious harmony, and political landscape, highlighting troubling historical connections and the rising prominence of RSS in contemporary India.
Founded in 1925, RSS began as a secretive, semi-military organization with a focus on Hindu nationalism.
The group’s primary objective has remained unchanged since its inception: to reshape India into a Hindu-first state, rooted in the ideology of Hindutva.
The report delves into the RSS’s history, pointing to its establishment of military-style training camps where young men were indoctrinated in Hindu nationalist ideology.
These camps have been pivotal in shaping the RSS’s approach to expanding its influence across Indian society, from politics to social organizations.
The New York Times report also highlights the extremist views held by some RSS leaders, drawing disturbing parallels to historical instances of racism.
The organisation’s ideology has been linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, with critics pointing to RSS leaders’ accusations against Gandhi for being “pro-Muslim.”
While the organisation has consistently denied any involvement in Gandhi’s murder, its role in shaping the political environment leading up to the assassination remains a point of contention.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a lifelong RSS member, is a key figure in the report. Modi’s rise to power and his policies as the leader of India are seen as reflecting the influence of RSS’s Hindutva ideology.
Critics argue that Modi’s government has actively promoted policies that align with RSS’s vision of a Hindu-first nation, further cementing the group’s ideological grip on the country.
Supporters of RSS, on the other hand, maintain that the organization promotes discipline, patriotism, and unity within Indian society, emphasizing traditional values and national pride.
As the report notes, the influence of RSS has grown significantly over the years, with the organisation expanding its reach across various sectors of Indian life, from the education system to the judiciary, police, and media.
RSS-affiliated groups, including political organizations like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have solidified their control over key aspects of governance.
The report underscores the increasing polarization in India, with RSS affiliates actively promoting Hindu nationalism through violent actions against religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians.
The growing power of RSS is a source of mounting concern both within India and internationally.
As the organization celebrates its centenary, its vision of a Hindu nationalist state is becoming more apparent.
The report suggests that RSS’s influence threatens the future of India’s secular republic, pointing to increasing religious intolerance and societal divisions.
The report also questions the compatibility of RSS’s Hindutva ideology with India’s founding principles of secularism and religious coexistence.
The New York Times concludes by stating that the rising influence of RSS is a major topic of debate in India and beyond, with the potential to reshape India’s political and social fabric.
As RSS continues to grow in power and influence, its ideology remains a point of deep concern for those who fear the erosion of India’s pluralistic identity and the rise of an authoritarian, Hindu-first state.
The centenary of RSS serves as a stark reminder of the organisation’s deep influence in Indian politics and society.
While RSS leaders continue to portray the organization as a force for unity and discipline, its role in fostering religious division and undermining secularism in India cannot be ignored.
The legacy of RSS, as outlined in The New York Times report, is one of profound impact, but also of increasing controversy as its influence continues to shape the future of India.