During discussions at the India Conclave in Mumbai, experts engaged in a conversation about the principles of M.S. Golwalkar and how these philosophies manifest in today's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Swapan Dasgupta, a former Rajya Sabha MP, and BJP leader, expressed his view on Wednesday that M.S. Golwalkar, who served as the chief of the RSS for 33 years, is somewhat outdated. Speaking at India Today's Mumbai Conclave, Dasgupta observed that "Guruji" held a "particular perspective" on India that was controversial and may not be entirely relevant in the 21st century.
When asked if the BJP was distancing itself from Golwalkar's version of the RSS, Dasgupta remarked, "I would say Guruji Golwalkar is somewhat dated," adding that this assessment was made from the standpoint of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.
Historian Vikram Sampath concurred, emphasizing that the RSS prioritized the "greater cause" over individuals, distinguishing it from the "person-centric" approach of "Savarkarite Hindutva." According to Sampath, this flexibility has enabled the RSS to flourish as the "world's largest NGO." It allows the organization to "embrace, disown, or appropriate" various individuals and their ideologies, including those of Mahatma Gandhi.
Sampath emphasized, "Can they claim Golwalkar and still remain RSS? Certainly. Can they embrace Gandhi and still remain RSS? Certainly. Can they selectively adopt elements from various sources and still remain RSS? Absolutely. This adaptability has enabled the RSS to survive for a century and become a formidable organization with numerous branches."
On the contrary, political activist Sudheendra Kulkarni disagreed with the notion that Golwalkar's ideas were outdated. He stated, "The RSS does not consider him outdated. Moreover, if you examine the evolution of the RSS and its ideology, it is evident that Golwalkar remains relevant."
Kulkarni asserted that Golwalkar's ideas continue to endure even today. He acknowledged that M.S. Golwalkar had "certain controversial ideas, some of which the RSS itself has disavowed."
"The controversial notions about Christians and Muslims being internal enemies, which were present in his early writings, have been rejected by the RSS and excluded from Golwalkar's collected works published by the organization," noted the activist.
Â
