During the two-day annual meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in UP’s Mathura, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale supported Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s statement about Hindu society. While enumerating the works done by the RSS in the country Hosabale said, “If Hindu society does not remain united, what does history say… If we differentiate on the basis of caste, society, and region, then we will be divided. The unity of Hindu society is in the life vow of the Sangh. Many forces work to break Hindu unity, so we want Hindu unity.”
On CM Yogi’s statement that if we divide, we will be cut, he said, “We should put it into practice. This is necessary to maintain unity among Hindus and for public welfare.”
RSS brainstorming in centenary year
It may be noted that in its centenary year, the RSS is brainstorming on culture, power and the strength of the BJP government led by Narendra Modi at the centre. ‘Bantenge toh Katenge‘ seems to be the latest catchword of the Sangh as it wishes to present the example of Hindus being united in Bangladesh and will make the Hindu society realize the power of staying united. In view of these developments, the Sangh is trying to make the people aware of the consequences of dividing the nation or society on any grounds, be it cultural, religious, or linguistic. The RSS uses this expression to convey the message that any form of division will weaken the country and cause harm to the collective unity and progress.
Additionally, the state of UP is the top priority in the agenda of the RSS as issues that are close to the Sangh and BJP’s heart like Shri Krishna Janmasthal Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi, are also in UP. UP Chief Minister and firebrand Hindutva leader Yogi Adityanath is Sangh’s choice of keeping the agenda of Hindutva strongly among the people. The choice of Mathura as the venue of the RSS meeting is a way of sending the message that Mathura and Kashi are on its agenda.
The importance of UP in the eyes of the Sangh can be understood in this way that the Sangh has 11 regions in the whole country. Two of these regions are Uttar Pradesh West and Uttar Pradesh East. After there was a huge decline in the number of seats won by the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, both RSS and BJP in their assessment came to the conclusion that the Hindu voters did not support BJP, due to which the party suffered a big defeat and had to form the government with the help of allies. Now the RSS is trying to send the message that the Hindus need to stick together.
The RSS also believes that even before the Lok Sabha elections, some international powers want to stop India’s progress and strength, they are trying to weaken the government and the country. The Sangh will now go among the people and tell them about such powers. It will also make them alert and vigilant thus the stress on the slogan ‘batenge toh katenge‘.
Boosting electoral prospects
Moreover, the way the RSS met Yogi in Mathura, it is clear that the RSS is planning to do big work in UP on Hindutva and cultural nationalism. The RSS wants to convey this to the public through its affiliated organizations, therefore, the RSS is also brainstorming in that direction. To keep the agenda of Hindutva strong among the people, the Sangh also wants to play a bigger role in forming the BJP government under the leadership of Yogi for the third consecutive time in the assembly elections 2027.
As far as the BJP is concerned, it has also realised the importance of Sangh after the 2024 LS polls. The fact that the party had to form a coalition government shows how the Sangh’s anger cost it dearly. The latest Haryana Assembly result is also an eye opener for BJP where it managed to form a government for the third consecutive term. The role of Sangh where its cadre rallied behind the BJP in every booth ensured BJP’s win.
Now with Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections nearing the BJP is eyeing to form the governments here. The Saffron Party is well aware of the importance of RSS in Maharashtra and thus it will ensure that it gets the benefit of Sangh’s goodwill in the state to form the government.
