How important is the ‘Saffron Flag’ for the RSS and why?

The Saffron Flag occupies the highest pedestal in the RSS hierarchy.

RSSFACTS is a column that demystifies the functioning, organisational structure and ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The Saffron Flag, commonly known as, ‘Bhagwa Dhwaj’, is considered to be the ‘Guru’ (the Master) by all Swayamsevaks. When the RSS was started, several Swayamsevaks wanted its founder Dr KB  Hedgewar to be designated as the ‘Guru’, as he was the most revered figure amongst them and every Swayamsevak looked up to him as an ideal.

But Dr Hedgewar decided that the Saffron Flag should be the ‘Guru’. Every year on the day of ‘Vyas Poornima’, according to the Indian calendar, the Saffron Flag is worshipped formally. This is known as ‘Gurupuja’ and is one of the six main festivals which the RSS celebrates every year.

The first ‘Gurupuja’ in RSS was organised in 1928 where the ‘Bhagwa Dhwaj’, was formally worshipped as the ‘Guru’ for the first time. Since then, there has been no break in this tradition and the Saffron Flag continues to occupy the highest pedestal in the RSS hierarchy. It is the ‘Supreme’, even above the Sarsanghchalak (RSS Chief Mentor).

NH Palkar, Karyavah (Chief) of the RSS in Maharashtra province wrote an interesting book exclusively on the Saffron Flag of the RSS. The book was originally written in Marathi and was published in 1958. A Hindi translation of the same was later reproduced. This 76-page book examines the origin of the Saffron Flag and dates it back to the Vedic period.

Palkar says, “The Saffron Flag has always been respected in the Hindu social life…it finds mention in Vedic literature as ‘Arunketu’.”

He further adds that the Saffron Flag has been a source of inspiration to get up and fight back for the Hindus whenever they faced attacks by the foreigners. The Saffron Flag was used as a well-planned measure to motivate Hindus to fight back and protect the nation.

Palkar explains several historical incidents to establish the national character of the Saffron Flag. Some of them are being given here.

“Guru Gobind Singh (the Sikh Guru), who led thousands of Sikh warriors to protect the Hindus, also wielded a Saffron Flag. The Saffron Flag is a symbol of revival of Hindu Dharma and the followers of Guru Gobind Singh won Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan under the leadership of Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time,” says Palkar.

He goes on to add, “Just like Punjab, when Muslim invaders attacked Rajasthan Rajput warriors under the leadership of Rana Sanga and Maharana Pratap fought back under the Saffron Flag. Chhatrapati Shivaji and his followers fought the battle of freedom under the Saffron Flag to establish the Hindu Kingdom.”

Palkar elaborates by citing historical examples from the history of South India when the Kings of the Vijaynagar kingdom were engaged in fierce battles to push back the attacks from Muslims.

The conclusion is clear that Saffron is the colour of valour and sacrifice for the nation. Palkar also explains the importance of the Saffron colour in the famous spiritual tradition of India commonly known as ‘Bhakti movement’, which is credited with the revival of a reformed Hindu Dharma in the medieval era.

“The Saffron Flags flutter on the top of innumerable temples and (Hindu) monasteries of India,” says Palkar pointing out that along with valour, the Saffron Flag is also associated with the ideals of renunciation.

Palkar mentions that it was the Saffron Flag around which the revolutionaries rallied during the War of India’s Independence from British Rule in 1857. In the epilogue of his book, he concludes, “After going through the complete history of ‘Bhagwa Dhwaj’, one realises that it is not possible to separate the Hindu society from this flag. Bhagwa Dhwaj is the natural symbol of Hindu society.”

What Palkar has written in this section of the book forms one of the fundamental rationales imparted to RSS Swayamsevaks in the intellectual discourses in the RSS Shakhas and training camps when it comes to a discussion on the importance of ‘Bhagwa Dhwaj’.

Palkar succinctly puts it, “Hindu nation, Hindu society, Hindu Dharma, Hindu culture, Hindu way of life and Hindu philosophy are all integrally related to the Saffron Flag. The Saffron Flag is capable of inspiring qualities like renunciation, sacrifice, valour, patriotism, etc.”

“The Saffron Flag is a witness to the constant struggle and victories of the Hindu society ... .One can’t imagine Hindu dharma,  Hindu culture and Hindu nation without the Saffron Flag.

Culture is the lifeline of any country. Hindu culture is the lifeline of our country and the Saffron Flag is a symbol of Hindu culture.”

Palkar makes a very significant statement when he says, “The existence of the Saffron Flag doesn’t depend on the fact whether it has been granted any official (probably he wanted to convey recognition by government authorities) status or not. That is why even today, the Saffron Flag is worth worshipping for political parties, social outfits, sects or sub-sects.

The Saffron Flag is a symbol of aspirations of the Hindu society and it has that energy to provide inspiration to realise these aspirations. This energy may not be embodied but it does get revealed in the form of a united Hindu society.”

The most important tenet which guides the RSS philosophy regarding treating Bhagwa Dhwaj or the Saffron Flag as its Guru is that an individual can fall from grace or may have some weaknesses but the Saffron Flag can’t.

It is apparent that the decision to choose Saffron Flag as the Guru in RSS was taken primarily due to three reasons:

First, to make an organisation stand unitedly and grow, a flag remains historically one of the most potent means.

Second, the cultural nationalism which is one of the key building blocks of the RSS’ ideology finds its most comprehensive reflection in the Saffron Flag.

Third, the RSS wanted to ensure that it does not become a person-centric organisation by putting a symbol of cultural nationalism at the highest pedestal instead of an individual.

This seems to have worked well for the organisation which has witnessed a massive expansion of its base in all walks of life over more than nine decades without getting mired into a controversy over the issue of ‘Head’ of the organisation. It is astounding not to have a war of succession in an almost 100-year-old organisation. The credit for this should also go to such decisions where cause was given precedence over individuals and the best example of that is revering the Saffron Flag as the Guru.

Thus, everyone in the Sangh Parivar bows their head in front of the Saffron Flag with great reverence, including the Sarsanghchalak. And at the RSS Shakhas, these fluttering flags convey the spirit of cultural nationalism everyday, round the year. This could, perhaps, explain how the RSS Swayamsevaks find themselves so closely connected with the idea of cultural nationalism.

Earlier RSSFACTS columns can be read here.

Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.