| Revision as of 01:27, 18 August 2006 view sourceBhaiSaab (talk | contribs)6,082 edits →Criticism: The zionist stuff does not come from the JSTOR source.← Previous edit | Revision as of 01:29, 18 August 2006 view source BhaiSaab (talk | contribs)6,082 edits →Position on []: remove o.r.Next edit → | ||
| Line 112: | Line 112: | ||
| {{section-stub}} | {{section-stub}} | ||
| == |
== Cricism == | ||
| Some of its opponents have described it as a "reactionary group of Hindu fanatics with Fascist tendencies." <ref name="FES">Curran, Jean A. Jr. '''' ''Far Eastern Survey'', Vol. 19, No. 10. (May 17, 1950), pp. 93-98.</ref> |
Some of its opponents have described it as a "reactionary group of Hindu fanatics with Fascist tendencies." <ref name="FES">Curran, Jean A. Jr. '''' ''Far Eastern Survey'', Vol. 19, No. 10. (May 17, 1950), pp. 93-98.</ref> | ||
| {{section-stub}} | {{section-stub}} | ||
Revision as of 01:29, 18 August 2006
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Sanskrit, "National Volunteers' Union"; also known as the Sangh or the RSS) is a Hindu nationalist organization in India. It was started in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar. The RSS is active throughout India and also abroad as the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, "Hindu Volunteers' Union". The RSS is the largest volunteer organization in India. It has found itself at odds with many Muslim and Christian religious organizations due its commitment to stop the fradulent conversions of Hindus and to "organise" the Hindu society. Its growing numbers has seen the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party, "Indian Peoples' Party", (formerly, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh). The RSS was banned in India thrice: in 1948 after Mahatma Gandhi's assasination, during the 1975 Emergency in India, and after the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. The bans were subsequently lifted after the Supreme Court of India declined to uphold the bans.
History
In 1925, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a Nagpur doctor influenced by recent Hindu-Muslim riots in his town, formed the Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh with a vow to transform India into a Hindu nation and so that Hindus could, in effect, protect themselves by organizing together. The word "Rashtriya" means "National," and the word "Sangh" means "Union". The word "Swayamsevak" means self-reliant. Hedgewar proposed the Hindu masses must be united to combat "cultural invasions" and protect the freedom and diversity of Indian civilization.
Partition activities
The Partition of India was a very traumatic event in the young nation's history. Millions of people, both Hindu and Muslim, were ethnically cleansed from India and Pakistan/East-Pakistan and the death toll was considerable . A poorly executed plan of dividing the two countries, basically amounting to ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Pakistan , created the situation that still haunts the two nations. Partition was agreed to by Gandhi himself, including Nehru and Jinnah, on the urging of the British, without any practical provision to protect the millions of Hindus that were living in Pakistan and had no option but to leave (unlike many muslims who had an option and felt safe enough to stay in India in large numbers).
The organization gained considerable strength and support participating in the Hindu-Muslim riots during the time of the partition, and it was able to succesfully protect Hindus in addition to maintaining offensives. This was due to the alienation the Congress Party (seen as a "Hindu" party at the time) received from the Muslim League. At the time, it took a vehement anti-Muslim stance.
Banning and revival
After Mahatma Gandhi's death in 1948, the RSS was accused by the Government of India for allegedly taking part in the plot to assassinate the Mahatma. In response, the government banned the RSS on February 4, 1948. The government wished to place several restrictions on the organization, which its current leader, Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, would not accede to. Troubles with the government, including arrests of many of the RSS' members continued until January 1949, when Golwalkar, the then sarsanghchalak (leader), halted the organization's activities.
Golwalkar began drafting a constitution for the RSS which he sent to the national government in March of 1949. In July of the same year, after many negotiations over the consititution and its acceptance, the ban on RSS was lifted.
Over the 1950s and 1960s, under Golwalkar (usually called "Guruji" or "Guru Golwalkar" by members), the RSS regained its power slowly and steadily, and amongst its social work embraced the Cow Slaughter Ban Movement and the Ram Temple in Ayodhya movement. In 1967, the RSS formed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad ("World Hindu Council") to explicitly work on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the religious upliftment of Hindus.
Sarsanghchalaks
The Sarsanghchalak is the paramount leader of the RSS organization. The individuals who held the post are
- Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (founder), also known as Doctorji (1925-1940)
- Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar, also known as, Guruji (1940-1973)
- Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras, also known as, Balasaheb (1973-1993)
- Rajendra Singh, also known as, Rajjubhaiya (1993-2000)
- Kuppamahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan (2000-present)
Organization
The RSS has been described by The Economist as the largest non-communist organisation in the world. It has an estimated 1.3 million members. The RSS organises itself hierarchically, with a single individual, the sarsanghachalak (English: Supreme Organisational Director), directing it. The position is decided by appointment, with nominal elections being held, with each sarsanghachalak appointing his successor. The current sarsanghachalak of RSS is K.S. Sudarshan.
Most of the organisational work of the Sangh is done through the coordination of shakhas, or branches. These shakhas are run every morning (prabhat shakha), evening (sayam shakha) or night (atisayam shakha) for 1 hour in public places and are open to people of any creed. Currently about 50,000 shakhas are run throughout India. Apart from 42,000 daily gatherings, there are about 5,000 weekly and 2,000 monthly gatherings conducted throughout the length and breadth of the country.
These shakhas are the core building blocks of RSS structure. During a Shakha, the activities consist of yoga, games (including sometimes training in Silambam), discussions on broad range of social topics, prayer to Bharat Mata and an educational session (bouddhik) given by a notable figure selected by the shakha coordinator. Usually the educational session relates to the history of India, Indian philosophy and culture, or ethics. RSS leaders wear the common uniform of a black cap, white shirt and brown khaki shorts.
Shakha
"Shakhas" means "branch" in Sanskrit. These shakhas are usually operated in playing grounds without any offices, wherein local youth join together in evening or morning to play games, exercise and engage in debate on various issues. At the end of the shakha the prayer is recited without fail "Namaste Sadaa Vatsale Matrubhoome" which means "My salutation to you, ever loving motherland."
An RSS volunteer who attends shakha is referred to as a "Swayamsevak". The purpose of shakhas, as stated by Hedgewar, is to mold individuals and inculcate in them the values of the RSS, and thereby create a body of individuals committed to doing the work necessary to revitalize the nation.
Activities
The largest voluntary organisation in the world. It operates through several organisations, independent in administration, in the field of social, culture and politics.
Religious
Yoga classes and boudhik shibirs
Social field
- Rashtriya Swayam Sevika Sangha - women's counterpart
- Seva Bharti for tribal welfare
- Swadeshi Jagran Manch
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Students'Organisation
- Bharatiya Janata Party - political field
- Durga Vahini - women's youth wing
- Bajarang Dal - men's youth wing
Cultural field
- Vidya Bharati in Education
Relief activities
Highly active at the times of natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, drought and train-accidents etc. RSS helped Tsunami victims by building shelters.
Leadership
- Present Sarsanghachalak: K.S. Sudarshan
- Sarkaryavaha:Mohanrao Bhagwat
- Sah Sarakaryavah :Madandas, Suresh Soni, Suresh (Bhayyaji) Joshi
- Sharirik Pramukh : Laxmanrao Pardikar
- Sah Sharirik Pramukh: K.C. Kannan
- Bouddhik Pramukh: Madhubhai Kulkarni
- Sah Bouddhik Pramukh: Dattatreya Hosabale
- Seva Pramukh: Premchand Goel
- Sah Seva Pramukh: Sitaram Kedilaya, Surendrasinh Chauhan, Omprakash
- Vyavastha Pramukh: Sankalchand Bagrecha
- Sah Vyavastha Pramukh: Balkrishna Tripathi
- Sampark Pramukh: Hastimal
- Sah Sampark Pramukh: Indresh Kumar
- Prachar Pramukh: Adhish Kumar
- Pracharak Pramukh:--
- Sah Pracharak Pramukh: Shrikrishna Motlag, Sureshrao Ketkar
- Members : Raghavendra Kulkarni, Ashok Kukde, Kalidas Basu, Sadanand Sapre, Shrikant Joshi
- Spokesman: Ram Madhav
- Special Invitees: K. Suryanarayana Rao, Shripati Shastri, Vasant Bapat, Dr. Bajranglal Gupta, Ranga Hari, M.G. (Baburao) Vaidya
Ideology
The general philosophical outlook is cultural nationalism aimed at preserving the spiritual and moral traditions of India. According to RSS a Hindu can be anyone living in Indian subcontinent. This includes Muslims and Christians. The RSS believes that Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life. The proclaimed purpose of the organization is "serving the nation and its people in the form of God - Bharata Mata and protecting the interests of the Hindus in India".
See also: Hindu nationalismPolitical influence
Template:Hindu politics In 1973, Golwalkar passed away and Balasaheb Deoras took over the leadership, and continued until 1993, when Dr. Rajendra Singh took over from him. During this period, came the rise of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political front of the RSS. Between 1975 and 1977, the RSS, along with socialists like Jayprakash Narayan launched a civil disobedience movement, to reject the national emergency and postponement of elections by Prime Minister and Congress President Indira Gandhi. The Jana Sangh was an integral part of the Janata Party coalition that defeated Indira Gandhi's Congress in a landslide in 1977. Later, upon the collapse of that coalition, it emerged as the BJP in 1980.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the RSS saw its stock rise as the BJP thrived upon the disenchantment of the masses with the Congress-led governments. By 1988, the BJP had 88 seats in the Lok Sabha, lower house of Parliament, and by 1996 it was the single-largest party. In 1998 it went on to head a coalition government that survived six years and another election in 1999.
During recent time, people who share RSS's ideology have gone on to achieve the highest political positions in the Indian Politics. These leaders include Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (Vice-President), Atal Behari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, Narendra Modi and Ram Prakash Gupta.
Sangh Parivar
Main article: Sangh ParivarOrganizations which are inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's ideology refer themselves as the members of the Sangh Parivar. In most of the cases Pracharaks were deputed to start and manage these organizations.
Criticism
Some of its opponents have described it as a "reactionary group of Hindu fanatics with Fascist tendencies." . In turn, accusations of partisanship of Christian missionaries (whom RSS opposes) , Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Hindu bigotry have been made by RSS on the accusers.
A Christian missionary, Vincent Kundukulam, has written a thesis refuting the claim that RSS is either nationalist or fascist . He posits that that RSS cannot be considered as a nationalist organisation in the sense in which the term 'nationalism' is generally interpreted in India. He points out that Indian nationalism and religion are mutually exclusive. Since RSS's primary loyalty is to the Hindus,it can't be called 'nationalist'. He also argues against branding the RSS ideology as "Fascism", "Nazism", "Fundamentalism" and "Communalism". He said the terms fascism, Nazism, and fundamentalism are much abused terms in India. They have a different connotation and meaning in the European context that don't apply to an Indian sociopolitical context. He argues that since communalism is not a part of religion, RSS can, be called "communal" only in a limited way.
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to itadding to it or making an edit request. |
Cricism
Some of its opponents have described it as a "reactionary group of Hindu fanatics with Fascist tendencies."
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to itadding to it or making an edit request. |
Notes
- ^ Curran, Jean A. Jr. The RSS: Militant Hinduism Far Eastern Survey, Vol. 19, No. 10. (May 17, 1950), pp. 93-98.
- BBC News, Three 'militants' killed in India. Retrieved 01-June-2006.
- RSS neither Nationalist nor Fascist, Indian Christian priest's research concludes
Bibliography
 | This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Publications
- "Panchajanya" (in Hindi). RSS weekly publication.
- "Organiser". RSS weekly publication.
- Bunch of Thoughts -Golwalkar
Books
- Anderson, Walter K. (1987). The Brotherhood in Saffron. Delhi, India: Vistaar Publishers.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)