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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Shinde in Delhi, speculation in Mumbai

Mumbai: The political landscape of Maharashtra is currently witnessing a renewed surge of speculative ripples as whispers of a major leadership overhaul gain significant momentum. Prominent Shiv Sena ministers have begun to openly voice their aspirations regarding a potential restructuring at the highest echelons of the state government. At the heart of this unfolding political drama is the growing chorus demanding the elevation of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the Union Cabinet,...

Shinde in Delhi, speculation in Mumbai

Mumbai: The political landscape of Maharashtra is currently witnessing a renewed surge of speculative ripples as whispers of a major leadership overhaul gain significant momentum. Prominent Shiv Sena ministers have begun to openly voice their aspirations regarding a potential restructuring at the highest echelons of the state government. At the heart of this unfolding political drama is the growing chorus demanding the elevation of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the Union Cabinet, thereby clearing the path for his deputy Eknath Shinde to take over the reins as the next CM. This simmering speculation has been heavily fueled by Shinde’s strategic departure for New Delhi on Monday, where he is expected to camp for the next two days.The immediate catalyst was a bold statement made by Shiv Sena leader Bacchu Kadu, who publicly expressed his earnest desire to see Shinde occupy the CM’s chair once again. Kadu articulated that it is the honest and natural sentiment of every Shiv Sainik to want their own party leader at the helm of the state. He went a step further to explicitly suggest that Fadnavis should be promoted to the central government. However, this assertion was met with immediate resistance from the BJP. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was quick to issue a stern rebuttal, emphasising the stability of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. He stated that no individual possesses the authority to unilaterally decide that Fadnavis should be relocated to New Delhi. Despite the BJP's attempts to quell the rumors, the sentiment within the Shiv Sena camp remains palpable and vocal. Echoing Kadu's sentiments, Industries Minister Uday Samant weighed in on the controversy, acknowledging that while Kadu’s demand might be presented in a personal capacity, it reflects a deeply natural political instinct. Samant candidly admitted that he, too, shares the ambition of seeing Shinde elevated to the top post. Shinde’s two-day sojourn in the Capital is officially slated for attending the Shiv Sena's national executive meeting and a crucial joint meeting of the NDA scheduled for June 10. However, the timing and context of this trip are being heavily scrutinised in political circles.

A Century of Service and Nation-Building

As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marks a hundred years since its founding in 1925, it stands as one of the most influential social organizations in modern India. Over the past century, the RSS has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s social fabric, promoting unity, fostering selfless service, and building institutions that continue to impact millions of lives.


Foundational vision

The RSS was founded in Nagpur in 1925 by Dr. Keshav BaliramHedgewar with the aim of revitalizing India’s cultural identity and strengthening society from within. At a time when the nation was struggling under colonial rule, Hedgewar envisioned a disciplined, united, and culturally rooted society that could shoulder the responsibility of nation-building.


The daily shakhas (discipline and training gatherings) became the cornerstone of RSS activity, instilling values of physical fitness, teamwork, character building, and devotion to the nation among ordinary citizens.


Social Service

One of the greatest contributions of the RSS has been its unparalleled commitment to relief and rehabilitation during natural calamities and crises. Be it the Bengal famine of 1943, the 1971 cyclone in Odisha, the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, the 2004 tsunami, or the recent COVID-19 pandemic, RSS swayamsevaks were among the first on the ground, providing food, medical care, rescue operations, and rehabilitation efforts.


The COVID-19 crisis particularly highlighted the Sangh’s organizational discipline. Lakhs of swayamsevaks across India delivered oxygen cylinders, cooked meals, arranged transport for migrants, and set up blood and plasma donation camps, reflecting the Sangh’s ethos of selfless service (seva).


Nation building

RSS has nurtured and inspired a wide ecosystem of social, educational, and service-oriented organizations under its umbrella, collectively known as the Sangh Parivar. Some of its most impactful initiatives include:

  • Vidya Bharati Schools – Among the largest educational networks in India, imparting value-based and affordable education in thousands of schools.

  • Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram – Working for the welfare of tribal communities by promoting education, healthcare, and empowerment.

  • Seva Bharati – Running thousands of service projects including hospitals, orphanages, skill centers, and programs for marginalized communities.

  • Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) – One of India’s largest student organizations, shaping young leadership in universities.

  • Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) – A trade union that advocates for workers’ rights while balancing national interest with economic growth.


These organizations demonstrate the RSS philosophy of empowering society not through political power alone, but through grassroots institutions that touch every aspect of life.


Cultural renaissance

The RSS has consistently emphasized India’s civilizational ethos – the philosophy of VasudhaivaKutumbakam (“the world is one family”). Through daily shakhas, cultural programs, and festivals, it has promoted pride in India’s heritage, traditions, and languages.


Importantly, the RSS has sought to unify a diverse and pluralistic India by building a shared cultural consciousness. In regions where caste divisions and social inequalities have historically weakened communities, swayamsevaks have worked to dismantle barriers, promote harmony, and foster collective responsibility.


While the RSS itself is a cultural and social organization, it has inspired many leaders who went on to play key roles in India’s democratic and political landscape. Its ideological commitment to nationalism, integrity, and discipline influenced the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in the 1950s and later the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which today forms the largest political party in the world.


Many leaders, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have roots in RSS shakhas. The Sangh’s training has equipped countless public figures with organizational skills and a deep sense of commitment to national service.


Global outreach

Over the last century, the RSS has also inspired organizations abroad. The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), active in over 40 countries, brings together the Indian diaspora to preserve cultural identity while contributing to their adopted homelands. From community service projects in the US and UK to cultural awareness programs in Africa and Asia, the HSS reflects the Sangh’s global outlook.


The Sangh family also nurtured Rashtra Sevika Samiti (founded in 1936), the largest voluntary women’s organization in the world. It empowers women through leadership training, education, and community service, and has produced several influential leaders in various sectors.


The true strength of the RSS lies not in power or numbers alone, but in its century-old philosophy of disciplined, silent, and sustained service. Today, with millions of active and dedicated swayamsevaks, it represents one of the most organized civil society movements in the world.


As it celebrates its centenary, the RSS continues to stand as a living example of how cultural rootedness, community service, and organizational discipline can transform a nation. Its motto, “Seva hi Param Dharma” (Service is the Highest Duty), remains the guiding principle of its journey from 1925 to 2025 – a hundred years of unbroken commitment to society and the nation.


(The writer is a BJP official based in Thane. Views personal.)

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