Bhagwatji handsome is as handsome does

Bhagwatji handsome is as handsome does

It was good to hear Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat declare that the organisation stands for celebrating India’s diversity, and bears no animosity towards any community. He was speaking at the inaugural of a three-day conference at the Capital’s Vigyan Bhawan, meant for the organisation’s engagement with the larger public. This is a far cry from the stated position of earlier leaders of the RSS, notably, M S Golwalkar, whom the organisation refers to as Guruji, who had openly declared that non-Hindus only deserved to live in this land as second-class citizens, extolling the glory of Hinduism, which he said was the core of Indian nationhood.

It would be wrong to dismiss the possibility of the organisation changing its views over time. But for such change to carry conviction, it is not enough for its foremost leaders to declaim at formal functions; rather, its actions must bear the imprint of the new thinking, and its followers in the entire family of organisations that take inspiration from it must refashion their conduct in the light of the new thinking. These organisations range from those that focus on thought, culture and education, to muscular outfits like the Bajrang Dal. Will all these, for example, abandon their campaign against love jihad and watch young people celebrate unity across diversity?

The RSS chief denied that the RSS controls the BJP. But that impression has gone around because practically every president of the BJP has been picked by the RSS and because every dispute within the party is seen to be settled by mediation by the RSS. Several chief ministers and the Prime Minister himself have been proud RSS workers. Perhaps, Mr Bhagwat wanted to make the point that the silken threads of inspiration are more effective than the reins of control.