Ramesh Chander/Retired Diplomat GOI
RSS Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, an icon of India’s socio-political and socio-cultural setup; particularly from the Hindu point of view and the main stream of the society is currently in news – his address at the RSS citadel in Nagpur on the Vijay Dashmi on
October 5 and his very candid and thought-provoking statement on the ‘Varna and Caste’ system in the Indian society. Mohan Bhagwat touched many aspects of the Indian polity and the society like ‘population control’ and addressing the ‘imbalance’ in the demographic change inviting sharp reaction from the Muslim minority and others. But I would focus on the second news about ‘Varna and Caste’ in this cursory analysis, not as an expert but as layman and a common citizen of Bharat.
While launching a book on October 7 at Nagpur, Mohan Bhagwat made an important and ground breaking statement on Chaturvarna and Caste which would tend to entirely change the hitherto perceived ideological plank of RSS with regard to the Hindu social order. It would, it is hoped, also set the things in their right perspective to strengthen and pursue the lofty ideal of RSS – ‘Samrasta’ – Social Harmony. He said that the concepts of ‘varna’ and caste “should be forgotten” because they are a thing of the past. The RSS chief further said, “Social equality was a part of the Indian tradition, but it was forgotten and this led to damaging consequences. The previous generations made mistakes everywhere, and India was no exception,” he said. “There should not be any problem accepting those mistakes. And if you think that by accepting that our ancestors made mistakes they will become inferior, that won’t happen because everybody’s ancestors made mistakes”, Mohan Bhagwat added. He further said, “Everything that causes discrimination should go out lock, stock and barrel.”It is a bold statement of a ‘man of vision’, Mohan Bhagwat, Chief of the largest socio-cultural organization of the world. I also vividly recall his statement, with regard to the book ‘Bunch of Thoughts’ of one of his predecessors, M.S. Golwalkar made at Vigyan Bhawan a couple of years ago that some of the thoughts expressed in the book had outlived their relevance in the
changed socio-political scenario in India and we must see the things in their current perspective. Mohan Bhagwat deserves all appreciation and support in his endeavors to ‘integrate’ and ‘transform the Indian social order as diverse and different from the thinking of the past. He has shown ‘courage and vision’ of a statesman to change the traditional thinking of RSS, and rightly so, to meet the challenges of the future. I would not shy away from the truth to make my point in favour of Mohan Bhagwat. I quote a few lines obtained from the Google Guru, “On February 6, 1950, the Organiser carried an article by a retired High Court Judge Shankar Subha Aiyar titled “Manu Rules Our Hearts.” He wrote that “Even though Dr. Ambedkar is reported to have recently stated in Bombay that the days of Manu have ended, it is nevertheless a fact that the daily lives of Hindus are even in the present day affected by the principles and injunctions contained in the Manusmriti and other Smritis. Even an unorthodox Hindu feels himself bound at least in some matters by the rules contained in the Smritis and he feels powerless to give up altogether his adherence to them.” Mohan Bhagwat’s
latest statement and take on Varna and Caste has completely negated the traditional RSS stance to deal with the issue. It is a welcome and much needed change which would prove beneficial to the society in the years to come.
I wrote in my blog on April 28, 2020 about the mind and thought of Mohan Bhagat some years ago sensing the things to come after my two long meetings with him in Jalandhar and Nagpur. I quote here
from my blog which may be accessed for ready reference and perusal at (https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2020/04/corona-lockdown-food-for-thought.html)
Quote “Second, the address of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat provided me an immediate instigation to write this and share with you. He spoke with understanding, concern and vision, as always. Amid the background of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, as reported in the Tribune of April 27, the RSS Sarsanghchalak pitched on ‘swadeshi’(indigenous) and ‘svavlamban’ (self-reliance) to meet the challenges of the future. I was happy to note that he also touched the communal aspect which was unduly being highlighted by the media and vested interests. He said, “It is not correct to blame the entire community because of something some people may have done because of ‘bhay’ and ‘krodh’ (fear and anger). We do not help with difference in human beings. We must help with a feeling of togetherness and affinity. We are not doing any favour to anyone; we are working for our own people.
You would observe that in these thoughts of Mohan Bhagwat, there is a clear tinge of the Gandhian thought. In his speech, he also referred to a story of Tathagat Gautam Buddha to make his point to continue to do well in spite of setbacks. He also named Babasaheb Ambedkar and the constitutional norms to deal with the situation. It is slowly becoming clear to which direction the wind will blow in the days to come. RSS Boss Mohan Bhagwat, it is increasingly becoming evident, is a man of vision with accommodative and liberal approach. He stands for, I think, the ‘Middle Path’ of Gautam Buddha and constitutional and social pragmatism of Babasaheb Ambedkar and also earthy wisdom and moral authority of Mahatma Gandhi. Here we may find some “Food for thought” to prepare for the coming scenario in the aftermath of Corona Virus. We are to ‘watch and see’.
Let me conclude with my loud thinking – RSS, the strongest outfit of the majority Hindus, is standing on the crossroads. While preserving and maintaining its core agenda of Hindutva, they ought to pursue the agenda of “Samrasta”- Equality, Justice and Fraternity by owning the legacies of both Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar, the two icons of contemporary India, to make India prosper and happy and the ‘world leader’ of the 21st century.” Unqoute
The stock and appraisal of Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has gone much high in my estimation. I only wish the RSS cadres and the society at large sincerely and truly adopt and execute the thoughtfully laid policy of Mohan Bhagat with regard to Varna and Caste for the larger good of the country and society. Let us not harp on the past instead look ahead to secure the future:-
Zara Dekh Uss Ko Jo Kuch Ho Raha Hai, Hone Wala Hai
Dhara Kya Hai Bhala Ehd-e-Kuhan Ki Dastnon Mein.
(Pay attention to what is happening and what is going to happen
What good there is in repeating the tales of the old glories?)
