Dialogue is an essential part of
democratic process. But what do you do when people wanting to usurp democracy
through democratic means want to have dialogue with those believing in secular
democratic Constitution of India? We are witnessing strong views being
articulated for and against Pranab Mukherjee’s agreeing to be the chief guest at
RSS cadre program. On one side there are those who see that dialogue should be
undertaken with likes of RSS, as RSS is the major force in the country. On
other hand there are those who feel that RSS is outside the pale of democratic
process as it does not believe in Indian nationalism and wants a Hindu nation. RSS
mouth piece Organizer on 14th August 1947 wrote, “Let us no longer allow ourselves to be
influenced by false notions of nationhood. Much of the mental confusion and the
present and future troubles can be removed by the ready recognition of the
simple fact that in Hindustan only the Hindus form the nation and the national
structure must be built on that safe and sound foundation…the nation itself
must be built up of Hindus, on Hindu traditions, culture, ideas and
aspirations.” On similar lines Narendra Modi on the eve of 2014 elections had
proclaimed that he was born in a Hindu family, he is a nationalist, so he is a
Hindu nationalist.
Pranab
Mukherjee had been a Congressman all his life, has upheld Indian Constitution
and secularism all through, so why should he attend the invitation of an
organization, primarily meant to create a Hindu nation. There are two aspects
of this; the same can be seen from two angles. Those opposing his acceptance of
the invitation rightly say that this will give legitimacy to RSS, and its
divisive agenda. On the other side it can be argued that this can be used as an
opportunity to speak one’s mind on the divisive agenda of RSS and warn its own
cadres to forgo the path of Hindu nationalism and adopt the path of Indian
Nationalism and Indian Constitution which is the outcome of the freedom movement of India.
Can Mr.
Mukherjee show the mirror to RSS and tell them as to what Gandhi, Patel and
Nehru thought of the ideology and nationalism of RSS. In the aftermath of
murder of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, Patel wrote, ““All their
(RSS) leaders’ speeches were full of communal poison. As a final result of the poisonous atmosphere
was created in which such a ghastly tragedy (Gandhi’s murder) became possible. RSS
men expressed their joy and distributed sweets after Gandhi’s death.” excerpts
from Sardar Patel's letters to M S Golwalkar and S P Mookerjee. (Outlook,
April 27, 1998). All this happened not just because of an act of insanity but
due to unfolding of the ideology of Hindu nationalism, espoused by RSS.
While there are claims that Gandhi
himself visited the RSS shakha and met so and so, the fact is that Gandhi was
never impressed by RSS. Pyarelal, Gandhi’s secretary records that in the wake
of 1946 violence, a member of Gandhi’s entourage praised the efficiency, discipline
courage and capacity for hard work shown by RSS cadres at Wagah, a major
transit camp for refugees in Punjab. Gandhi answered, “but don’t foget, even so
had Hitler’s Nazis and fascists under Mussolini.” Gandhi characterized RSS as a
communal body with a totalitarian outlook. (Khaki Shorts: saffron Flags, page
22)
Earlier
to this also Gandhi had written on the topic from which one can try to
understand as to what Gandhi thought of RSS. In Harijan of 9 August 1942, Gandhi writes, “I had heard of the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its activities; and also know that it was a
communal organisation”, this was in response to the slogans and some speech
against ‘other’ community, about which a complaint was made.” In this Gandhi is
referring to the drill of RSS volunteers, who shouted that this Nation belongs
to Hindus alone and once the British leave we will subjugate the non Hindus. In
response to the rowdyism indulged by communal organisations, he writes, “I hear
many things about RSS. I have heard it said the Sangh is at the root of all
this mischief”. [Gandhi, Collected Works xcviii, 320-322, Publications
Division, Ministry of Informational and Broadcasting, New Delhi 1958)
Has RSS changed over the years? Is
recalling all this is out of place? The same hate ideology, which killed Gandhi,
has become much more intensified over years. The violence unleashed in the name
of Ram Temple, Holy Cow-Beef is not committed just by those who are wielding
swords, lathis and daggers; the underlying factor is the ideology, the ideology
of all this Hindu nationalism. It’s true that RSS has grown in size and is a
formidable force. Still its agenda remains the same. Over years the hatred spread
against religious minorities by using communal version of history is manifested
time and over again, be it the issue of Padmavat, love Jihad or what have you,
the constructed events of the past are the base of spreading hatred against the
minorities of today. The murder of Pastor Stains and anti Christian violence is
also based on the propaganda of conversion by ‘force, fraud and allurement’,
which cannot be sustained by the demographic pattern shown by census figures.
Can RSS give up its Hindu nationalist
ideology? Can RSS disown Golwalkar’s “We or our Nationhood defined” or “Bunch
of Thoughts”? If Mr. Mukherjee wants to convert RSS into an organization believing
in Indian, plural nationalism with diversity, he is probably aiming at a task
close to impossible. So by being the guest at their function; either Mukherjee
lands up giving legitimacy to the Hindu nationalism of RSS or he has to pick up
the gauntlet and tell RSS to overthrow its divisive ideology to come to the
path which Gandhi had shown, path which Patel and Nehru had followed, the one
of secular democratic India!
