Author: Pralay Kanungo
Publisher: Manohar
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 314
ISBN/UPC (if available): 81-7304-398-1
Description
The RSS is perhaps the most controversial organization in contemporary India. This book explores the mission, method and motive of the RSS and suggests that the ideological core of the RSS—‘Hindu Rashtra’—is political and not cultural.
The RSS is perhaps the most controversial organization in contemporary India. This book explores the mission, method and motive of the RSS and suggests that the ideological core of the RSS—‘Hindu Rashtra’—is political and not cultural. It argues that K.B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, had a clear political mission, while M.S. Golwalkar, his successor, despite his saintly appearance and overt distanste for ‘politics’, sharpened and amplified its ideology. Nevertheless, deep down the RSS remained political.
This book goes on to delineate how Balasaheb Deoras, the third chief, who did not have much of a fancy for ‘culture’, plunged into Indian politics on the organizational and ideological foundation created by his predecessors. Deoras seriously pursued the homogenizing agenda of the RSS to integrate different sections like the Dalits, tribals and women into the fold of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Rajendra Singh, the successor of Deoras, consolidated the political mission by getting control over the State and reaching out to civil society more effectively. K.S. Sudarshan, the present chief, while attempting to retain a tight control over State power, simultaneously reinforces ‘Hindutva’.
The author concludes by arguing that the RSS—from Hedgewar to Sudarshan—continues its tryst with politics to convert India into a Hindu Rashtra.
Highly readable and of contemporary relevance, this book would be of immense interest to political scientists, political sociologists and all those interested in present-day India.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Glossary
CHAPTER I
Introduction
CHAPTER II
Origin and Evolution of the RSS: Hedgewar and Golwalkar (1925-1973)
CHAPTER III
Organization and Training: Reinforcing Politics and Ideology
CHAPTER IV
Constructing ‘Hindu Rashtra, Community, History and Nation
CHAPTER V
Homogenizing Hindus: Caste, Tribe, Woman and progeny
CHAPTER VI
Quest for Political Power: Balasaheb Deoras
CHAPTER VII
Consolidating Political Power: Rajendra Singh and Sudarshan
CHAPTER VIII
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index