Caste Census: RSS advocates constitutional and administrative approach, not a political one

RSS denounces the use of caste census as a political tool by some parties. (Representational image)

After the three-day all-India co-ordination meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ended at Palakkad in Kerala on September 2, another round of debate on the ‘caste census’ has been kicked off. RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar stated in a press conference that if the government feels that enumeration for certain communities is required for some government schemes, then it may be done. This has been interpreted by many as an endorsement of the ‘caste census’ by the RSS.

So what exactly is the RSS’s stand on the ‘caste census’? Has it changed? How has it evolved?

First and foremost, the RSS has never changed its stand on issues related to caste. One must look at the larger philosophical framework that guides the RSS’s thinking on issues such as the ‘caste census’ and ‘reservation’ to understand its position.

RSS’ philosophical framework on Caste related issues

The RSS is deeply concerned about the misuse of the issue of caste census for political gains.  On caste census as well as reservation, the RSS stand has been clear: whatever steps need to be taken for the benefit of the marginalised sections of the society by the government of the day within the constitutional framework, should be taken.

The RSS’ stand in this context is clear. It believes sensitive issues like caste census and reservation should be kept out of the political realm and shouldn’t be weaponized for creating vote banks as this would harm the society in the long run.

There are three aspects of RSS’ stand on Caste related issues.

First, issues related to the benefit of the marginalised sections of the society should not become a political and electoral tool. For Congress and its allies, the issue of ‘caste census’ is an end in itself to garner votes on caste basis whereas for the RSS, such issues are means to attain the goal of larger welfare of the marginalised sections which they deserve.  That is why, issues related to the benefits of the marginalised sections shouldn’t be politicised.

Second, the RSS believes that caste census shouldn’t be used to wedge a divide in the society. There is a distinct attempt to weaponize issues related to benefits of the marginalised sections to promote fissures within the society. Caste Census is the latest ‘weapon’ in the hands of certain political parties who are ready to go to any extent for petty political gains. This would ultimately harm the marginalised sections of the society. The classical case study in this context is the way ‘Muslims’ were converted into a vote bank in the garb of pseudo-secularism which ultimately affected their overall socio-economic growth. They were deliberately kept backward and the progressive leadership amongst them was never encouraged by the Congress, Left, Socialists and other non-BJP parties. A similar situation was created for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes also till 2014.  Over the last 10-years, the process of providing benefits was depoliticised to a great extent but unfortunately, this politicisation seems to be making a comeback and taking a centre stage in Indian politics. The RSS has always been of the opinion that certain issues that would bring greater good to the society and make it more equitable should be kept out of the political battlefield and hence the issue of 'caste census' should also be depoliticised.

Third aspect of the RSS’ stand on any of the issues related to the marginalised sections of the society is that the beneficiaries of various constitutional provisions such as reservation should be the one to take a call on how they want to go ahead.

The highest decision-making body of the RSS, Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), had passed a resolution way back in 1981, much before the Mandal Commission brought the issue of reservation to the centre-stage of Indian politics in the 1990s. The resolution categorically stated, “The RSS considers it necessary that reservation be continued for the present with a view to bringing all these brethren of ours who have remained backward in educational, social and economic fields over the centuries at par with the rest of society.”

In 2019, the present Sarkaryavah of the RSS Dattatreya Hosabale had categorically said in a press conference during the All India Coordination Meeting at Pushkar (Rajasthan), “It is for the beneficiaries of the reservation to decide how long it should continue. It should continue as long as they want it.”

RSS Practises what it preaches

Unlike most of the political parties, the RSS practises what it preaches. It has a separate vertical called ‘Samajik Samrasta’(social harmony) which works for mainstreaming of the socially backward sections of the society. Its volunteers and 32 RSS inspired organisations are carrying out more than 2 lakh welfare projects across the country primarily to empower socio-economically marginalised sections of the society. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. BR Ambedkar were deeply impressed by the RSS’ efforts to end caste discrimination right since its inception. Both of them witnessed the RSS functioning first hand. Dr Ambedkar visited an RSS shakha in Dapoli in Maharashtra in 1939 while Mahatma Gandhi visited an RSS training camp at Maharashtra in 1935.

Harijan, a weekly newspaper published by Mahatma Gandhi reported this event on 28 September 1947. The report said: “Gandhi ji said that he had visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh camp years ago at Wardha, when the founder Shri Hedgewar was alive. The late Shri Jamnalal Bajaj had taken him to the camp and he (Gandhi) had been very well impressed by their discipline, complete absence of untouchability and rigorous simplicity.”

The RSS’ worldview on the caste issue in Bharat is best depicted by a lecture delivered by the RSS’ third Sarsanghchalak Balasaheb Deoras at the Vasant Vyakhyanmala in Pune in 1974. Deoras said, “Untouchability is a… saddening and unfortunate aspect of our social inequality. Some thinkers opine that it was non-existent in the olden times, but at some stage, during the passage of time, it gatecrashed into our social system and took root. Whatever be its origin, all of us consider that untouchability is a terrible folly and it must, of necessity, be thrown out lock, stock and barrel. There are no two opinions about it. Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery in America, said, “If slavery is not wrong, then nothing is wrong.” Similarly, it is for all of us to declare, “If untouchability is not wrong, then nothing in the world is wrong!” Every one of us must, therefore, aim at eradicating social inequality in each and every form. We must clearly explain to the people at large how our society became weak and disorganised on account of social inequalities. We must also show them the way to get rid of them. It is necessary that every individual must make his or her contribution in this effort. That would remove a stumbling block in the way of Hindu Consolidation.”

Conclusion

The RSS believes that issues related to the ‘caste’ shouldn’t be weaponized by political parties as this would create social disharmony. Whatever needs to be done for the benefit of the marginalised sections of the society should be done within the constitutional framework and in a positive environment. And for the sake of this country’s integrity and Hindu unity, political parties should lay their hands off this sensitive issue. That is the least they can do if they are really committed to preserve the serenity and integrity of this nation. Let issues like ‘caste census’ be handled constitutionally, administratively and socially and not politically.