Taking public posturing at face value is fraught with enormous risks in politics. Delve deeper. What makes messaging deceptive is the clever deployment of liberal rhetoric to conceal the illiberal intent.  The recent three-day sermon of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is a case in point.

The logic and metaphors used by Bhagwat suggested a democratic mindset. He talked of unity, not uniformity; freedom to pursue one’s religious faith; and global peace. “Diversity adds to the world’s beauty,” he so beautifully argued. “Sab ek hain, sab apne hain,” the lyrical expressions were music to the ears. He quoted Gandhi, Tagore, Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa, not Savarkar or Golwalkar. Repeatedly stressing that the RSS aspired to make India a ‘Vishwaguru’ to contribute to the cause of peaceful coexistence, he said, “Follow your own path but respect other’s faith.”

Who could quarrel with this noble proposition? He was unambiguous, insisting, “There are different paths. But we are one. The content is the same. Don’t fight over paths. Raste ko lekar jhagda mat karo.” So, what’s the problem with RSS? Scratch a little and the real face pops out. The gap between words and deeds manifests itself. The question that troubles a thinking mind is this: If the RSS has such noble objectives, why can’t they achieve them under the constitutional scheme? Why do they seek a Hindu Rashtra?

Bhagwat made it absolutely clear that they are working for a Hindu Rashtra where Muslims, Christians and other minorities will have the freedom to pursue their own path. “Nobody will be excluded,” he asserted. Does that mean the RSS wants the followers of other religions to trust Hindus to be benevolent, instead of enjoying the constitutional guarantee of equality? The essence of Bhagwat’s sermons was the assurance of generosity and chivalry, not the power of rights and justice. In the end, he declared, “The entire country has to become Sangh.”

If minorities, political rivals and critics are feeling the infringement of their basic rights when only a fraction of the country is a part of the Sangh, what will happen if the Sangh gains absolute control? After 11 years of Hindutva rule, Muslims have a weaker voice – in 2024, for the first time, a Union cabinet was formed without a single Muslim in it. Their livelihood avenues have become more limited. If the apologists of Hindutva, who are promising India the status of a Vishwaguru, listen to the heartbeat of a Muslim citizen today, they are bound to hear something like this couplet written by Ahmed Faraz, “Bastiyan chand-sitaron ki basane walon/meri duniyan mein to bujhte chale jaate hain chirag.”

History and hypocrisy

The RSS chief said when he supports the erasure of names of invaders, he is not speaking against Muslims. “No place should be named after invaders. The names of (freedom fighter) Ashfaqulla Khan and (soldier) Abdul Hamid are acceptable,” he clarified. So, the RSS will decide who is a good and acceptable Muslim. Depending on the social and political circumstances, they will decide which Muslim can stay in India and who will be asked to go to Pakistan. Colonel Sophia Qureshi will be tolerated because she dwells on the exploits of the Indian Army and Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad will be hounded for asking legitimate questions. This conditional affection for minorities in the hearts of those who pray for world peace, and yet flaunt their unbridled appreciation for Benjamin Netanyahu who has been accused of genocide in Gaza, is doubtless bewildering.

Also read: Adding to Modi's – and India's – Woes, Bhagwat Stirs the Pot on Kashi, Mathura

Bhagwat argued that despite pursuing different faiths, Indians have a common social and cultural trait, hence the “content” was the same. Needless to say, Bhagwat didn’t explain why V.D. Savarkar, the original proponent of Hindu Rashtra, wrote that Muslims and Christians can’t be given parity with Hindus despite the shared cultural heritage because they don’t consider “Hindu-sthan” their holy land.

Savarkar gave conditional sanction to Muslims and Christians to live in India, saying, “…we shall ever guarantee protection to the religion, culture and language of minorities for themselves, but we shall no longer tolerate any aggression on their part on the equal liberty of the Hindus to guard their religion, culture, and language as well.” The tolerance level of right-wing bigots is so fragile that they could not tolerate even Mahatma Gandhi. The greatest freedom fighter, Jawaharlal Nehru, is anathema for them.

No RSS leader has clarified what they think of M.S. Golwalkar’s infamous remark, “Race pride at its highest has been manifested in Germany. It has also shown how well-nigh impossible it is for races and cultures having differences going to root, to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by.” The crux of the matter is seriously problematic. The RSS, and the larger Sangh Parivar, is not comfortable with the constitutional guarantee of equality. They want minorities to survive on the goodwill and mercy of Hindus.

Character-building mission  

Bhagwat laid extraordinary emphasis on character-building. He asked people to see for themselves how disciplined and conscientious RSS workers are. He stressed on the correctness of “Vichar, Sanskar and Vyawhar” – thought, upbringing and behaviour. He also referred to purity, simplicity and love for all mankind as the attributes of trained RSS cadre.

Those who can’t go to Reshim Bagh in Nagpur to see the noble RSS folk can look around themselves to get glimpses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for instance. He has been accused by the opposition of divisive politics, lies, crony capitalism and lack of transparency and accountability. Bhagwat asked, “Have you seen any RSS worker indulging in violence and aggressive behaviour?” He said, “We are not content with maximum good of maximum people. We want Sarve Bhawanti Sukhinah – Everybody should be happy.” He also referred to Gandhi’s principles, of pleasure without conscience, commerce without morality, religion without sacrifice…etc. He lectured the nation on family values, personal integrity, protection of traditional dresses and foods and social conduct.

Are men and women trained by the RSS really ambassadors of compassion and peace? Well, don’t look at the bad examples. Bhagwat has advised constructive thinking. Don’t say BJP chief ministers talk about Ali-Bajrangbali and 80-versus-20. Forget ministers who raised slogans like “Goli maro salon ko” and “Ramzade against haramzade”. Or those who faced charges of involvement in fake encounters, kidnapping and murder. Ignore the wayward youths who assemble outside mosques on every festival to scream vile words against Muslims. No, don’t think of the vigilante gangs who decide whom to love, what to eat and what to wear. Or lynching. Don’t let the goons calling for boycott of Muslim vendors vitiate your thought. If crony capitalists flit through the mind when thinking about “commerce without morality”, shut the mind down.

Bhagwat has advocated the preservation of tradition. Does this mean Muslims can offer namaz freely at public places like Hindus sing bhajans at airports, in trains, and at markets without any obstruction? Why the fuss if Muslim women wear their traditional dresses and burqa? Why are the meat and fish shops closed forcibly during the whole month of Saawan? Oh! Small aberrations. Agreed.

But why allow Ram temple-like agitations for Mathura and Kashi? Another phase of hatred and bloodbath? Bhagwat said these are only three places and suggested Muslims should be large-hearted and vacate. Remember that sacred principle of Gandhi that Bhagwat quoted: religion without sacrifice? Muslims must keep sacrificing to keep the Sangh happy. After all, Bhagwat has said Sangh workers should be models of good conduct, morality and compassion for the entire world. Such a character can be built only on Muslim sacrifice. No, not by Hindus. They are indeed compassionate. By the Sangh Parivar, whose compassion is conditional.

Sanjay K. Jha is a political commentator.

This article went live on August thirty-first, two thousand twenty five, at twenty-eight minutes past twelve at noon.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.