How RSS is overcoming the caste divide within Hindu society

By Newsgram Staff Writer

Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) recently ended its Akhil Bharatiye Pratinidhi meet with a resolve to go beyond the caste divisions in the Hindu society, as these divisions have become very visible in the election of office-bearers to the top posts in the organizations, which was earlier a Brahmanical clique.

The sole OBC face is V Bhagaiah, from Medak, Telangana, who recently got elected as joint secretary of Sah Sarkaryavah, a third tier leadership. Bhagiah was earlier the head of Bhadhuik (intellectual wing of RSS) belongs to the Vadla community. Likewise, Sham Kumar, the regional head of the mid south region of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana is also an OBC. Kumar who is brother of late Union Minister A Narender, is a pointer to the Sangh's plan to expand in the south.

From its start Sangh's top leadership has been considered a Brahmanical clique. It was in 1994 that Rajendra or Rajju Bhaiyya became the non-Brahmin Sarsanghchalak of the RSS.

"The symbolic value of these appointments is immense especially in view of the resolution taken to work towards 'one well, one temple and one crematorium'," said a senior office bearer of the Sangh.

Its backing for PM Narendra Modi as the BJP's candidate in the last General Elections was seen as the first step towards a larger social democratisation of the Sangh Parivar. "Our real challenge, more than the integration of the OBCs is to integrate SC/STs," said the office bearer. The Sangh's expansion plans in the south (apart from Karnataka) have suffered largely because of the perception that it is a Brahmanical organisation, in a region where, historically, a strong anti-Brahmin movement has existed.