SANGH PARIVAR OR SANT PARIVAR 

The RSS, often regarded as the lifeblood of the BJP-led political dispensation, rarely allows such statements to be dismissed lightly. For context, a report published in The Economic Times just before the BJP’s landslide victory in 2014 revealed that the RSS had trained 2,000 committed members to take key positions in governance under a Modi-led government.

The RSS has long been the central pillar of the Sangh Parivar, also referred to as the Hindutva Parivar by the public. Over the decades, it has produced a lineage of prominent leaders, from Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, and Narendra Modi. To its adherents, the RSS symbolizes nationalism “Bhartiyata”(Indianness).

It is also seen as the guardian of Sanatani Hindu values and commands widespread respect, even within the sant community. However, exceptions like the Arya Samaj a micro-minority of roughly 8 million adherents exist. Despite being a loosely organized body, the RSS boasts the largest cadre-based network in India and within the Indian diaspora. Its affiliated organizations, such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal, wield significant influence across diverse domains.

The notion of a “Sant Parivar” as a parallel to the Sangh Parivar is, at best, ambiguous. If Bhagwat’s remarks were made independently of government alignment, it signals potential discord within the Parivar perhaps a rift between Modi’s administration and the Sangh leadership. On the other hand, if Bhagwat’s voice echoes the government’s intent, it could signify a shift or a new direction within the Hindutva discourse.

The name “Ram” holds immense significance in Hindu consciousness, representing noble virtues and spiritual identity. The Ayodhya movement, centered around Lord Ram, stands as one of the longest and most impactful socio-political movements in modern Indian history. It united the Sanatani Hindu community like never before, transforming the BJP from a political nonentity into a dominant force with over 300 parliamentary seats and multiple state governments under its control.

However, the current discourse around Kashi and Mathura lacks the same resonance as the Ayodhya movement. These issues have not been officially endorsed by the BJP, nor do they seem capable of generating similar momentum. In the vacuum created by the lack of official backing, fringe Hindu groups are trying to assert themselves, seeking to preserve their relevance in an era of competitive Hindutva.

The sant community, while influential, does not command the same grassroots reach and organizational depth as the RSS. Bhagwat’s widespread cadre-based influence across the country far outweighs the impact of individual religious leaders. It is, therefore, crucial to understand that the RSS remains the central force in shaping Hindutva discourse.

An anecdote from Karnataka Pranth Pracharak Mukund, shared in a local daily, encapsulates the Sangh’s guiding philosophy. When a swayamsevak once asked Deendayal Upadhyay if power could corrupt Jana Sangh leaders, Deendayal acknowledged the possibility but emphasized that the RSS would remain a corrective force.

Indian Muslims, at least in this instance, must exercise caution and let the internal dynamics of the Hindu community play out without interference. Sections of Hindu society are already engaging in their own introspection and course correction.

The current controversy offers an opportunity for necessary course correction within the Sangh Parivar. The BJP, as the political arm of the RSS, must respond to the ideological and organizational challenges it faces. Whether this results in a stronger consolidation of Hindutva forces or the emergence of new divisions remains to be seen.