New BJP members take ‘RSS lesson’
The booklet clearly states that the RSS “believes in cultural nationalism” and that “bharatiyata as well as Hindutva are the base of nationalism”.
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FILE | RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other leaders at the valedictory function of a training camp of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh in Nagpur. (Source: PTI )
In contrast to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) repeated claims of not interfering in the political affairs of the BJP, the latter’s new workers are attending training workshops where they are provided comprehensive information on the RSS and the functioning of other organisations affiliated to it.
The BJP’s Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Prashikshan Mahaabhiyan (training workshops) across the country for its new workers are being currently conducted at the level of mandal, vibhag and district units.
In the 22-page booklet being distributed to every participant at the workshops, there is a chapter – ‘Sangh Parivar Vichar’ – which tells the BJP workers about the RSS’s history and the “objective” behind its formation, with information also on its affiliates — Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Vidya Bharti, Saikshik Mahasangh, Sikhsha Mandal, Sanskar Bharti, Pragya Bharti, Itihas Sanklan Samiti, Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Adhivakta Parishad, Laghu Udyog Bharti, National Medical Organisation, Arogya Bharti, Deendayal Shodh Sansthan, Hindustan Samachar, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Ekal Vidyalaya, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Sewa Bharti, Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Rashtra Sevika Samiti.
The chapter explains that these units, despite being run by “swayamsevaks of RSS”, are “independent and have no affiliation with the RSS or any political party”. The association is only that of the “ideology” and hence these units are called “Sangh Vichar Parivar” that work in consultation with each other, the booklet reads.
“These organisations are not part of our party. But our party (BJP) is part of that ideology on which basis these organisations are running,” reads the concluding part of the chapter.
The booklet clearly states that the RSS “believes in cultural nationalism” and that “bharatiyata as well as Hindutva are the base of nationalism”.
The booklet goes on to term the RSS as the “biggest volunteer’s organisation” which the British did not like and the Congress later had it banned because the RSS was against the division of the country on religious lines.
Murlidhar Rao, BJP’s national general secretary and in-charge of the training campaign, said knowledge of the party’s association will “help” the workers carry out their duties properly. To explain to the workers the particular chapter (in the booklet), the BJP has selected some party leaders who were associated with any of the RSS’s organisations in the past.
BJP state spokesperson Chandra Mohan said: “New members joined BJP in large numbers after landslide victory in Lok Sabha elections. For them to regard these organisations, they are being told about those that are functioning under the common ideology of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, which is also shared by the BJP.”
The workshops at mandal level will be completed by September 20. Along with the history of BJP and its rise in national politics, the workers will be told about the “achievements of Narendra Modi government” in the concluding session. Workers have also been asked to ensure that people from all religions, sections, castes, particularly Dalits and backwards who are part of the organisation, attend the workshop.
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