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The RSS has always endeavoured to keep in touch with
various sections of society.
During the 1980s, the Sikhs had some problem with the
Government of India. A militant section among the Sikhs
began to demand a separate Sikh homeland, "Khalistan".
Even the Government had to take some harsh measures which
resulted in the unfortunate assassination of Indira
Gandhi.
New rise of extremism stunned everyone. Anti-India forces
started exploiting the Shikhs for their nefarious
designs. In such vitiated atmosphere, the RSS stepped in
to bridge the gap at the social level. The Sikhs are an
integral part of Hindu society. If Sikhs severed their
relations from the rest of India then their political
future would have been in jeopardy. Whereas every
Government, more or less, divides to rule, the saintly-
folk writes all sections of society. The RSS took over
this pious role. It analysed the period from Guru Nanak
Dev to Guru Govind Singh to show how the Sikhs had fought
the invaders and tormentors to save the larger segment of
Hindu society of which they themselves were an integral
part. To unite both the sections of Hindu society, the
RSS established the "Sikh Sangat". For one full decade
the RSS laboured hard in this direction. The dialogue
with the Sikhs is an ongoing process. As a result, the
misunderstandings between the two sections were reduced
or brought to nought and the present was understood
better in the light of past history.
A good measure of the credit for restoring peace in Pun
jab goes to the RSS. Many pracharaks and intellectuals
of RSS worked overtime to meet this challenge. In this
movement, remarkable contribution was made by the former
Sarsanghchalak, Bala Saheb Deoras, present Sarsanghchalak
Rajju Bhaiya, Dattopant Thengadi, the founder of BMS and
Moropant Pingle, the senior RSS leader. Another
significant name in this list is that of Shri K.S.
Sudarshan. He not only went to Punjab but wherever there
was sizable Sikh community, he went himself there and
gave the message of co-existence and peace.
The dalit problem in India used to look so complex but by
forming the Samarasata Manch the RSS created an example
for everyone to see. The RSS started a movement to tie
the whole Hindu society in one thread of unity with a
view to remove the inequalities that crept into the
Indian social system. The formation of Samarasata Manch
is indeed a historical step by the RSS.
The RSS has always kept a vigilant eye on the politics
that has been going on in the name of minorities. Even
if a small pin pricks, the whole body bears it. The
Muslims form the largest minority in the country. The
Christians come next and the Parsis and the Jews also
form minority. Even after the Partition of the country,
the Hindu-Muslim unity remained an objective only. The
mild policies. of Mahatma Gandhi did not yield any
tangible results. The Government further aggravated the
problem by its vote-bank politics during the last five
decades. Consequently, despite efforts the separatist's
mentality, still remains. The RSS believes that
politicians cannot solve this problem. It is also
becoming more messy. The nationalist intellectuals
cannot remain mere spectators for a long time. So, they
are applying their mind to eradicate this malaise.
At various points of time, the RSS has had dialogue with
the Muslims. During the Emergency, one such dialogue
began between the Sangh and the Jamat-i-Islami. The then
President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad became so
nervous that he told Indira that if unity was forged
between these partners, the Congress would never come to
power in future. Then not only was the Emergency lifted
such political moves were initiated that had potential Of
conflict the Hindus and the Muslims all over again.
Communal riots are golden eggs for these wily politician.
So with full vigour they started their effort to separate
the Muslims from the Hindus and they succeeded to an
extent. During the tenure of second Sarsanghchalak, Shri
Guruji, efforts were made to bring the Muslims into the
national mainstream. But owing to machinations, useful
results were not forthcoming. The Muslims have even done
their namaz inside the Sangh headquarters in Nagpur. Yet
some unknown fear lurks in the mind of Muslims.
The Sangh does not seem to give up hope. It is engaged
in its work with the same zeal a river keeps flowing on.
Shri Sudarshanji, Sahasarkaryavah of RSS took a step in
this direction when he Visited the office of an Urdu
dally, Akhabar Alam in Mumbai on July 31. There he asked
the Muslim intellectuals what did they think of the RSS.
Answering a long questionaire he presented the RSS view
on many important issues. The Muslims participated in
the discussion whole-heartedly and added that the Muslims
were not in favour of any friction. They were a part of
this country and would remain so. They were ready for
any sacrifice for the nation.
Dialogue is the only way to solve problems in a
democracy. Evening was time set for discussion with the
Muslims of Mumbai. As Sudarshanji's car came to a halt
in front of the J.J. Hospital, a senior Urdu journalist
came forward to welcome him. The office of the newspaper
was full of Muslims of eminence. Among the distinguished
gathering were the famous educationist and the president
of Anjuman-i-Islam, Ishaq Jamkhanwla, Maulana Waris Jamal
of Tablique-i-Seerat (a religious organization), Sarfaraz
Aarzoo, editor of the famous evening Urdu daily,
Hindustan, and professionals professors, doctors,
lawyers, social workers of various Muslim organisations
and reputed businessmen. Among the retired persons of
eminence were commissioners and deputy commissioners of
police and some senior citizens desirous of peace between
the two communities. The editor of Akhabar-i-Alam,
Khalil Jahid was one of the organisers of the programme.
The editor of weekly Vivek, Ramesh Patange, was also
present.
Sudarshanji was asked two question to begin with. First,
in 1992-93, it was said, the Sangh published a pamphlet
in which the Hindus were asked to eliminate the Muslim.
This is condemnable. If the Sangh has any goodwill for
the Muslims, how can it say so? Secondly, it was alleged
that the RSS was behind every riot. How could the Muslim
befriend in such a setup? Sudarshanji calmly answered
each question. He told them that the pamphlet which they
were talking about was not as vicious as the one that was
circulated in Delhi. The Hindi daily Punjab Kesari Wrote
about it. When it was brought to our notice, we
immediately refuted it. If a mischief is done in the
name of the Sang, but by someone outside it, what can the
Sangh do about it? If you had brought this to the notice
of the long Sangh leaders, the misunderstanding would
have been nipped in the bud. Suspicions grow when facts
are not counterchecked. Someone from the audiences asked
whom do we talk to in Mumbai? It is for the first time
that a senior RSS leader has come to us. We have seen
RSS people only wielding lathis and wearing knickers. So
some system should be evolved between the two communities
so that m future the reality of such incidents could be
found out.
Regarding the allegation that the RSS is an ill-wisher of
the Muslims, Sudarshanji clarified by giving some
instances from the past. He said whether it was floods
in Morvi or cyclone in Andhra or earthquake in Latur - it
was the RSS which reached first to help the victims. It
did so without discrimination. It just rendered the best
of service at critical times. The RSS has always been
above communal considerations and has served all Indians
alike. This fact has been appreciated by leaders and all
communities. There is no exaggeration in it. To save a
Muslim village in Kanyakumari district, the RSS workers
made a hanging bridge. The former Tamil Nadu Chief
Minister. Jayalalitha herself went across the bridge.
If the Sangh had been enemy of Muslims, why would it have
done so? You have just been listening to the anti-RSS
propaganda and have not observed the action part of the
RSS. The conduct of the RSS is an open-book in response
to all these questions. Someone said that it was not a
big deal as everyone does such things on humane grounds.
Sudarshanji responded that even if that were true, still
such actions of the RSS should be evaluated Objectively.
Some Muslim friends were of the opinion that the policies
of Vishwa Hindu Parishad were dangerous. It was also
said that Organiser, the mouthpiece of RSS, spreads a lot
of illwill and it should be stopped. Questions were also
raised regarding the RSS' view on Muslim personal law.
It was asked why Muslim personal law was attacked tune
and again. Answering this question, Sudarshanji asked if
the Muslim personal law could be changed in Pakistan and
Turkey, why not in India? Many factors have to seen in
present-day context, and many things have to be ignored.
Them was a lot of hot debate on this issue and many
persons said that if other countries had changed the
Muslim personal law then it did not mean that they should
also change it. Muslims had a particular way of life and
they could not change it, they could not discuss all the
issues today only for that they would have to arrange
many meetings and this was just the beginning. Both the
sides accepted this fact and showed a keen interest to
meet again. Shri Patange who was participating all
through the discussion said that Vivek would like to
organise such a meeting in the near future. This was
welcomed with clapping and the Muslim friends said that
whenever he would invite them, they would certainly
come.
Regarding Kashmir, Sudarshanji said that if the minority
Hindus had been saved m the Valley by the Muslim
majority, it would have created goodwill among Hindus m
the rest of the country, but the Muslims had lost that
opportunity. Someone said that Shri Jagmohan had sent
empty trucks and had called Hindus back from the Valley
to Jimmy and Delhi. Sudarshanji asked him if anyone
could leave his house and hearth like this on someone's
calling, he should talk with some common sense, at least.
The dialogue continued almost three hours. Both the sides
agreed that the problem could not be solved in a meeting
or two. Even after the meeting, people kept up the
dialogue with Sudarshanji when they came to see him off
to his car. At the end of the meeting, Sudarshanji was
presented a shawl by Ishaq Jamkhanwala. People became
emotional on this. Ishaq Jamkhanwala presented his
pragmatic views in emotion chocked voice. He said that
it was an auspicious beginning. The day shall come when
this path of dialogue would bring about amity between the
communities.
After the dialogue, some people started speculating if
the RSS was planning to join politic-and if the dialogue
was started for placating the Muslim voters. While
denying this assumption, it was noted that such rumours
could only make the problem more complex, instead of
resolution. It was made clear that the RSS had not taken
any new step as such. Dialogue had been included in its
mission for effective communication between the sections
of society, lest there was any misunderstanding.
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