The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has made significant claims regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi’s interactions with its organization. According to the RSS’s communication wing, Dr. Ambedkar visited an RSS shakha in 1940 in Satara, Maharashtra, and expressed a sense of affinity for the organization despite differences on certain issues. Similarly, the RSS stated that Mahatma Gandhi visited a shakha in 1934 in Wardha, appreciating the inclusivity of volunteers from different castes and religions.
Ambedkar’s Visit to RSS in 1940
The RSS’s media wing, Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) of the Vidarbha province, claimed that Dr. Ambedkar visited the RSS shakha 85 years ago. It cited a January 9, 1940, report from the Marathi daily Kesari as evidence. The report stated that Ambedkar saw the RSS with a sense of belonging, even though he had reservations about certain issues.
VSK also referred to a book authored by RSS thinker Dattopant Thengadi, titled Dr. Ambedkar and the Journey of Social Revolution. The book elaborates on the relationship between Ambedkar and the RSS, stating that Ambedkar had a good understanding of the organization and its goal of uniting Hindus on a national level. However, he reportedly had doubts about the pace of the RSS’s growth.
Gandhi’s Interaction with RSS in 1934
The RSS further claimed that Mahatma Gandhi visited an RSS camp in Wardha in 1934. According to the organization, Gandhi observed volunteers from diverse castes and religions at the camp, countering allegations that the RSS was exclusive to Brahmins.
Evidence and Context
To substantiate its claims, the RSS presented a clipping of the Kesari report and quoted from Thengadi’s book. VSK asserted that these instances debunk allegations about the RSS being a caste-exclusive organization.
Significance
The RSS has entered its centenary year and is actively addressing historical narratives. By highlighting these interactions, the organization seeks to underline its inclusivity and counter criticism from political parties during ongoing debates around Ambedkar and Gandhi.
