How RSS identified certain key festivals to strengthen social engineering

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh celebrates six festivals at different times of the year.

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

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrates six festivals at different times of the year. We will explain three festivals in the current article and the rest three will be explained in next week’s column. The six festivals that RSS celebrates with great gusto are - Vijayadashami, Makar Sankranti, Varsh Pratipada, Hindu Samrajya Dinotsav, Gurupurnima and  Rakshabandhan. 

Reason For Celebrations

Why did the RSS choose these six festivals? The philosophy behind this move has been explained in a ‘Sangh Utsav (published by Suruchi Prakashan, an RSS inspired publishing house)’. The comments in this publication are based on the views expressed by MS Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak and Bala Saheb Deoras, the third Sarsanghchalak.

“The RSS has chosen these festivals as they synergise with its objectives and name. One must understand here that Sangh has not created any new festival. But these festivals are of national importance and the Hindu society has been celebrating them since times immemorial.”

There is one exception to this: the ‘Hindu Samrajya Dinotsav’ was not celebrated at national level till the RSS included it in its list. In this regard ‘Sangh Utsav’ says, “Hindu Samrajya dinotsav is a festival that inspires an awakening in society. That is why Sangh has included it in the list of other traditional festivals.”

The reason is further explained as, “Memories of the great personalities who made sacrifices are associated with these festivals. So we (the RSS Swayamsevaks), awaken the society through these festivals.”

More importantly, the celebrations of these festivals help the RSS to expand its base. The festivals are generally celebrated at the Shakha level. “Once a Shakha decides to celebrate the festival, this helps to showcase the RSS’ ideology and work, to the local community. It helps to bring the local community closer to the Sangh. Thus, these festivals play an important role in creating a conducive environment for the expansion of the RSS.”

Vijaydashmi Mahotsav

Though all festivals are of equal importance for the Swayamsevaks (RSS volunteers), this one holds a special place in their heart as the RSS was founded on ‘Vijaydashmi’ (September 27, 1925). Every year Vijayadashami falls on a different day according to the Hindu calendar. The festival of Vijayadashami is celebrated almost in every part of the country and there are several tales, legends associated with it, the most popular being the defeat of the demon king ‘Ravana’, by Sri Rama, one of the most revered God figures in India.

According to the Hindu epic ‘Mahabharata’, the Pandavas’s 14-year exile had come to an end on this day and they had worshipped their ‘weapons’. In the Hindi heartland, this ceremony is also called ‘Shastra-Pujan’. The RSS Swayamsevaks perform this symbolic ceremony of ‘Shastra-Pujan’, on this day. This is to inculcate the qualities of bravery and valour among the Swayamsevaks. The festival is associated with the rich cultural history of India and there are several ancient tales, anecdotes and legends associated with it. All of them have, however, one common message: “The victory of good over evil.” There has been a tradition in the RSS that theSarsanghchalak of the day delivers a public speech at Nagpur on this day in a function where thousands of RSS Swayamsevaks are present.

Makar Sankranti Mahotsav

It is also known as Makar Sankranti. It is one of the most important festivals of Hindus and is celebrated in the month of ‘Magh’ (January). The ascent of the Sun begins to the north on this day. This movement is also known as ‘Uttarayan’. The festival marks the commencement of the sun’s journey to the Northern Hemisphere (Makara raashi). The RSS celebrates this as a festival for several reasons. This is the time period which signifies journey from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from death to elixir of life. Indians take holy dip in the rivers on this sacred day.

Historically, this festival is associated with several important events. After the daily RSS Shakha, a mix of sesame seed (Til) and Jaggery (Gur) is distributed among the Swayamsevaks. Senior RSS functionaries deliver lectures about the importance of this age-old festival for the society at the RSS Shakhas. At times, several Shakhas get-together and celebrate it jointly also. “This is the time when Swayamsevaks have to think about what they have done individually for the country. A new beginning has to be made on this occasion and …Swayamsevaks should take a resolve that they will work selflessly for the welfare of the society,” says RSS publication ‘Sangh Utsav’, while explaining the importance of this festival for the organisation.

Varsh Pratipada Mahotsav

The RSS celebrates it as the ‘Hindu New Year’. According to the traditional Indian knowledge and scriptures, Lord Brahma had begun creating the universe on this particular day. There are several important events associated with this day. Emperor Vikramaditya had defeated the Shaka invaders and forced them to flee from India.

So a new Hindu calendar had begun on this day called ‘Vikrami Samvat’. This remains one of the most popular calendars in several parts of the country, especially in rural India. Lord Rama’s coronation as the King of Ayodhya happened on this day. One of the greatest Indian reformers of the modern era, Maharishi Dayanand had set up ‘Arya Samaj’, on this day. India’s official national calendar, Shak Samvat, also begins on the same day. Incidentally, the Founder of the RSS, Dr. KB Hedgewar was also born on the same day. According to Sangh Utsav, “This festival marks the end of an old year and the beginning of the new year. So it is time to review the work of the past year and plan for the upcoming year.” The Swayamsevaks wear full RSS uniform on this day at Shakha and before the Saffron Flag is hoisted, a special salute is given in the memory of the founder of RSS. This salute is called, ‘Aadya Sarsanghchalak Pranam’.

The RSS band known as ‘Ghosh’ plays wherever possible. Several RSS Shakhas often get together on this occasion and sports competitions are held. Key RSS functionaries deliver intellectual discourse on this day. At times, a prominent and inspiring individual is also called as the chief guest. He attends the celebrations and shares his thoughts with swayamsevaks. This helps the RSS to connect with leaders from various walks of life at all levels. This helps in further expansion of the organisation across various sections of the society.

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.