Latest news with #Sangh
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Rahul Gandhi slams RSS, says Constitution irks Sangh
Following RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale's comments on the Constitution, Rahul Gandhi accused the Sangh of targeting it, alleging a desire to replace it with Manusmriti. Other Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, echoed these sentiments, asserting their commitment to defending the Constitution's values of secularism, social justice, and democracy against any attempts to weaken or rewrite it. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: After RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale 's comment on the Constitution , Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Sangh, accusing it of targetting the Constitution. "The mask of RSS has come off Constitution irks them because it speaks of equality, secularism , and justice. RSS-BJP doesn't want the Constitution; they want Manusmriti . They aim to strip the marginalized and the poor of their rights and enslave them again. Snatching a powerful weapon like the Constitution from them is their real agenda", Gandhi alleged in a social media post."RSS should stop dreaming this dream - we will never let them succeed. Every patriotic Indian will defend the Constitution until their last breath", he general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said Hosabale's remarks were reflective of the RSS-BJP's "opposition" to the Constitution and asserted that "we will never let them succeed in this mission" and will defend the Constitution. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the Congress party will stand like a rock against attempts to weaken or rewrite the Constitution while slamming RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's criticism of inclusion of the words "socialist" and "secularism" in the Constitution . "Now they are back to their old playbook," the CM said in a statement, in a scathing attack on the RSS. "We will defend its (Constitution's) values - secularism, social justice , and democracy - with full strength and conviction."
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
RSS aims to unite Hindu society by affection and belonging, says Mohan Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's mission is to ensure that the entire Hindu society is bound by the thread of "sense of belonging and affection." RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the term 'giving back' has lately become fashionable in English, but this sentiment has been in existence in India for a long time.(X/@annamalai_k) He was speaking at the release of a biography of noted Ayurveda practitioner late P Y Khadiwale, better known as `Vaidya Khadiwale', here. "Unlike animals, human beings possess intellect. With wise use of intellect, he can become even better, but using the same intellect in the wrong way, he can become worse. The only thing that stops him from being bad is the sense of affection and belonging," Bhagwat said. There are examples of people tilting towards evil if they become selfish. On the other hand, if a person tilts towards affection and compassion, he attains a godly form, and Khadiwale's life journey is an example of this, he added. The Sangh also works towards reminding the society about the sense of belonging, affection and compassion which are being forgotten in the present times, Bhagwat said. "The Sangh teaches a person that if somebody is showing a sense of belonging towards you, you should also be reciprocal and show the same affection and compassion. The work of the Sangh is to see that the entire Hindu society is bound by the thread of sense of belonging and affection," he said. The Hindu community has also taken upon itself the task of binding the entire world by the thread of sense of belonging, the RSS chief further said. The term 'giving back' has lately become fashionable in English, but this sentiment has been in existence in India for a long time, he said. Bhagwat also hailed Khadiwale's contribution to Ayurveda and his philanthropic work, and said all those who revere him should take his work forward.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Socialist', ‘Secular' And The Sangh: RSS Reignites Preamble War
Last Updated: Speaking at an event marking 50 years since the imposition of Emergency, Dattatreya Hosabale questioned the legitimacy of their inclusion into the Preamble in 1976. Triggering a fresh debate on Constitutional amendments during the period of Emergency, Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS General Secretary, spoke about two of the most contested words in India's Constitution -socialist and secular. Speaking at an event marking 50 years since the imposition of Emergency, he questioned the legitimacy of their inclusion into the Preamble in 1976, when Parliament functioned under duress, and the Constitution was amended without open democratic deliberation. 'Shouldn't there be debate on whether these terms truly align with India's ethos and founding vision," Hosabale asked addressing the gathering stressing on the need of a fresh debate. The reaction from the Congress was immediate and sharp. Calling it a 'deliberate assault on the soul of the Constitution," the Congress accused the RSS and BJP of systematically attempting to undermine BR Ambedkar's legacy of a just, inclusive, and democratic society in India. Calling the speech as one of the old propagandas of the RSS, Congress, in a statement, said that this was not just a suggestion, but a continuation of their long-standing agenda. They also cited recent election speeches where BJP leaders openly declared their need for over 400 seats to 'rewrite the Constitution, 'hinting at the possibility of removal of these two words. 'The people of India saw through their agenda and gave them a resounding answer," Congress added in their statement referencing the 2024 verdict. Even as the RSS pushes for introspection and public deliberation into the forced additions of the Emergency era, the Congress vows to protect it as an 'unbreakable wall" against any such amendment or revision. With such a controversy taking shape of a political battle, the Preamble has once again become ground zero in India's political and ideological war. The RSS has never minced words when it comes to the inclusion of socialism in the Preamble. Even though, seniors of the Sangh have not spoken about it publicly until now, the Sangh literature and other documents have multiple mentions of the inclusion as 'imposed' . Explaining the reason behind Sangh's opposition to the word – Socialist – a senior functionary said, 'Sangh is not against social welfare or social justice. But RSS does not agree with any idea that is primarily a western import. It doesn't align with Bharat's idea of social-cultural-economic concept. Bharat has traditionally believed in self-reliance. It is a very post-independence foreign idea imported by Congress." For the Sangh, socialism is not just an economic idea — it is foreign ideological implant, alien to Bharat's civilisational values. Socialism for the RSS is an idea adopted in Nehruvian India, and it built its edifice on state supremacy. The RSS also believes that Socialist idea is based on centralised planning, and a thinly veiled contempt for faith, family, and tradition, which are seen as pillars on which Indian society rests. Meanwhile, the idea of the RSS for an inclusive Indian society stands on the other side of that spectrum which includes a decentralised, family and community driven and more importantly a dharma-based worldview, rooted self-reliance, and spiritual continuity. RSS rejected the Socialist views as it essentially spoke about class struggle and class conflict, which are Communist ideas. Socialism, in practice, made the state as the power centre. RSS feels that state-controlled and centralised power always tried to replace temples with institutions, communities with committees. The RSS never subscribed to this. It holds that civil society is the soul of nation-building. For the word 'Secular', Sangh has always maintained that India has been a 'secular' land traditionally and culturally. It is in India's character and it also reflects through its state policy.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Socialists, RSS had common ground then… Sangh families sustained underground movement': Dattatreya Hosabale
RSS sarkaryawah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale was a 21-year-old student when the Emergency was imposed, and among those jailed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). In an interview with The Indian Express, Hosable, now 70, talks about the RSS's involvement with Jayaprakash Narayan's Movement, its collaboration with the socialists, and the organisation of underground networks after the ban on it. Excerpts: First, there was a student protest against hostel fees at an engineering college in Gujarat. It became a widespread agitation in the entire state against corruption. This was the time of the Chimanbhai Patel government (of the Congress) in Gujarat. A Navanirman Yuvak Samiti was started by the student leaders. The ABVP participated in this agitation as one of the leading organisations. The Gujarat CM had to resign under pressure of the student agitation. There were many such corrupt practices in different parts of the country… Student agitations were brewing on many campuses. In Bihar, a student agitation started against price rise and corruption of the (state's) Abdul Ghafoor government. The agitation was led by the ABVP and other student organisations. There was police lathicharge and firing on the students… There were widespread protests by the people and some prominent leaders in the society in response. After this, the ABVP leaders and others approached Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan to guide them. JP had two conditions. One, the agitation should be totally non-violent and peaceful. Second, it should not be led by political leaders. The student leaders consented, and JP agreed to lead the movement. The ABVP was an active participant… The Sangh leadership also stood behind this as it was an agitation for the betterment of society… a fight against corruption, price rise… and the demand was for better employment and education systems. This is how the RSS joined the JP Movement… Not directly as an organisation – but indirectly – through swayamsevaks who were active among students, labour unions… JP's agitation too was organised by these organisations (linked to the Sangh). And Sangh workers extended support for these tours, local meetings and rallies. Seeing all this, the Indira Gandhi government banned the RSS. We had better relations with the socialists during the movement. Communists were not very active in most of the states… But the socialists, Samajwadi Jan Sabha, Jana Sangh and ABVP… We all had common meetings to organise rallies for JP… There were some common points, common grounds (between socialists and the RSS). George Fernandes, Ravindra Verma, Ravi Ray, Mohan Dharia and many socialists…. all had direct interactions with (Jana Sangh leaders) Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhaurao Deoras and many others. Student and youth organisations of the Sangh vichar parivar (the larger Sangh family) also played an active role. I was one of them in Karnataka. Some people tried to oppose the participation of the ABVP, but JP directly told them that those who agree with the agenda of the movement can join in. He said others had no right to prevent the entry of any organisation that is ready to support those common points. Even those who were critical (of the RSS) had to shut their mouth. On November 14 1975, the satyagraha against the Emergency was launched. A large number of the RSS cadre and other organisations inspired by the RSS were detained. In the beginning, the underground movement was led by Nanaji Deshmukh, Ravindra Verma, George Fernandes, Duttopant Thengadi and many others. When Nanaji Deshmukh and Ravindra Verma were arrested, the Lok Sangharsh Samithi (the common platform leading protests against the Emergency) appointed (RSS leader) Dattopant Thengadi as its general secretary. So, the underground movement was sustained greatly because of the Sangh's personal contacts and through the help of their families. To run an underground movement, it is necessary to escape from the eyes of the police… The RSS had this informal contact and communication. For months together, workers who were part of the underground movement could not go to their families and homes. Many had to shut their business, resign from their jobs or discontinue their education. Many people could not meet their family members, particularly elders, who were suffering because of certain diseases. Income was almost zero… Sangh workers made arrangements for various such resources through an organisational network.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sangh backed Emergency under Deoras' leadership, says Maha Cong chief Sapkal
Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday accused BJP of whitewashing its ideological past while launching selective attacks on the 1975 Emergency. On its 50th anniversary, Sapkal pointed to the documented support of then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras for Emergency and questioned why BJP distances itself from that legacy. "Balasaheb Deoras not only supported the Emergency, but even publicly disassociated the Sangh from the JP movement. Does BJP disown his stand now," Sapkal asked at a press meet. He argued that former premier Indira Gandhi's decision was taken within constitutional bounds to prevent national unrest and contrasted it with what he termed an "undeclared Emergency" under the current regime. Sharply reacting to the allegation, RSS publicity head Sunil Ambekar said thousands of Sangh volunteers were jailed and tortured during the Emergency. "Around 100 of them died in custody or due to the trauma of incarceration. Pandurang Kshirsagar Ji, then head of our national management committee, was among them. The Emergency remains a black spot on Indian democracy," he told TOI. BJP's national vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe told a packed audience in Nagpur that the "satyagraha movement by RSS and leaders like JP Narayan" was a reality check for Indira Gandhi, who was under the impression that people had accepted the Emergency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Of the 1.3lakh people who joined the movement, 1.1lakh were from RSS and its affiliates," he said. Defending Indira Gandhi, Sapkal, however, said, "She lifted the Emergency, called for elections, and accepted defeat. Unlike today's govt, she didn't sell off national assets to corporate cronies," he said, referring to the privatisation of ports, airports, banks, mines, and Dharavi land over the past 11 years. Sapkal also criticised a recent govt ad campaign to exclude the national emblem while prominently featuring the 'Sengol'. "This is a symbolic attack on the Constitution. The ultimate goal is to replace it with Golwalkar's bunch of thoughts and create a theocratic state cloaked in cultural motifs," he alleged. Congress has released a special issue of 'Janmanasachi Shidori' featuring counter-narratives from authors like Pupul Jayakar, Kumar Ketkar, and Sena MP Sanjay Raut, aimed at presenting "the truth of the Emergency beyond BJP's propaganda. He further demanded a probe into alleged voter list manipulation in Nagpur South West, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's home constituency.
