The RSS has infused young blood in its executive. What’s behind it?This is not a new thing. Right from Hedgewar’s time, the RSS has been grooming young people to handle future challenges. This time, however, our seniors themselves have opted out because of age and such factors. Also, the organisation is growing very fast and a lot of running around is needed. We have reached about 30-40 per cent of the revenue blocks in the country. Our aim is to reach 100 per cent by year 2006, the birth centenary year of Guruji Golwalkar. That also explains the size of the executive. While the seniors can help us with their their expertise, the young ones can take up the strenuous part with agility.But just two years ago, the thinning shakha numbers was worrying the RSS bosses. Now you say you are growing rapidly.The worry was about the growth rate, which was stagnant at 15 per cent.There appears to be a North Indian majority in the new list, with fewer inclusions from Maharashtra and the South.We never think in terms of North and South in the RSS.Any particular states where growth is rapid?Reports confirm that our ideology is finding acceptability everywhere. During our chief Sudershan’s visit to Calcutta, the Brigade Parade Ground was filled to capacity. It was unprecedented in a Marxist State. At Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, Sudershanji’s public meeting attracted 40,000 people, we were expecting 25,000.Is the new blood likely to usher in changes? If yes, will the changes be only organisational, or they will be ideological as well?Our only focus is organisational growth. Our ideology remains the same.The goal may be the same, but the new Sarkaryawah, Mohan Bhagwat, is known to be more flexible than most. So, are we in for some flexibility at the ideological plane too?From outside, you may call us rigid, but if you see the RSS from within, you will realise that we are flexible. We have always been.But the RSS seems to be obsessed only with one goal of Hindutva — establishing Hindu Rashtra, and pursuing power as a means to that end. What about inculcating Hindutva, which you so often boast of as a way of life, in the younger generation? Let me remind you of what Guruji once said. He had said, the RSS would have been there even if Muslims and Christians were not. Then, the RSS would have been there solely to inculcate Hindu values. So, that’s very much a part of the mission. That’s why we have been supporting Gandhiji’s panchayat system and swadeshi. Forget the temple part, the VHP is ushering in a lot of social reforms. And Hindu Rashtra is basically a cultural concept. It’s about uniting Hindus on the basis of Hindu values, which, in turn, touch every subject — including politics.But Bhagwat himself said that the swayamsevaks must observe swadeshi in their own lives first. Why did you avoid swadeshi this time?You may say anything, but our commitment to swadeshi remains. This time too, we have called for swadeshi agriculture.Bhagwat is being looked at as the next Sarsanghchalak.That’s for you to say. We believe in collective leadership. For us Sarsanghchalak is a fatherly figure. Talking of future Sar-sanghchalaks is like discussing when one’s father will die.Seshadri was likely to retire, but he holds a very important position in the new set-up.He has a pulse on our workers all over the country. He wanted a less strenuous responsibility. But Pracharak Pramukh is a very important post as he has control over full-timers.Do you feel threatened by the VHP’s growing clout?We don’t intend to exercise any control over the VHP. All RSS organisations have a biological relationship with each other. We are happy that the VHP is growing.But is the RSS also happy about the rabid anti-Muslim stance of Pravin Togadia? Do you agree with him that Muslims could be rendered second-class citizens?Again, rabidity is a perception. As for the other question, I don’t know what exactly he said. Second-class citizenship is certainly against Hindu ethos. We don’t treat others like kafirs. We believe other religious communities should enjoy the same rights as Hindus, but with a sense of reciprocation.So, what are the new executive’s future priorities?As I said, by Golwalkar’s birth centenary, in 2006, we have to reach all revenue mandals in the country. 1,700 new shakhas were added in the last year, taking the total to 45,960.Will you concentrate on any particular state?All states, particularly West Bengal and North-East.How will you go about it?Our pattern of work will remain the same. But in some states, we are going in for full-timers. They will work for the organisation for three years and then return to normal life. Plus, we are going to re-activate the old-timers too. Also, we are going to form village clusters and appoint office-bearers with some powers. That will help the growth at village level.
