‘RSS won’t change because BJP is in power’

Mumbai: Power had never been the goal of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Instead the RSS wants to grow akin to the society in order to bring about societal transformation, Saha Sarkaryavah of the RSS (Joint General Secretary) Arun Kumar said here as he spoke about the working of the RSS, its relations with the Bharatiya Janata Party and also talked of the roadmap for the future at the during the session ‘Understanding RSS’ at the ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025 Summit on Saturday.

“Power in not the ultimate goal. Taking everybody from the society along is the real goal (for the RSS). RSS is not an institution. We aspire to be akin to society, in order to transform the society,” Arun Kumar said, adding that, “RSS doesn't want to inscribe its name in the history.”

In the same vein, while answering another question, he said, “RSS golden age is not different from that of the Nation’s golden age and we would like to see that the whole society works towards the goal.”

While answering a question on what changed for the Sangh after the BJP came to power, Arun Kumar said that there has been no change in the functioning of the RSS after the BJP came to power. He also downplayed reports claiming that those associated with the RSS were inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, by saying that the PM inducted those who were elected through a democratic system.

“I think that Modi becoming the prime minister is the result of the hard work of his party. He (Modi) has filled his cabinet with people who have been elected from the democratic system. He hasn't filled it with RSS people. He has filled his cabinet with people who has been chosen from the parliamentary democratic system,” he said.

He further said that many people reach out to Sangh because of the discipline of the RSS.

“People come to the Sangh, it is because of Sangh’s dedication. We reach out to people and then build communication...They come to Sangh because of its dedication, not due its power...People come because of the Sangh’s hard work,” he said.

“If an industrialist or a space scientist comes to our event, then it is because of the years of dedication of 5-10 years,” he said, adding that the practice has been there for long, even before the BJP came to power.

“The work of the RSS is to connect people. The work to connect people is based on friendship and fraternity. So, there won’t be any change (or impact) on the RSS after the BJP is in power. The (work of the RSS) will change only on the basis of efforts of RSS workers and Swyamsevaks,” Arun Kumar said.

“The RSS doesn’t promote any person... But, Sangh is the centre of attraction today. People do come to the RSS to get their work done, but they get to know after some days that they cannot get their work done,” he added while elaborating how selflessness drives the RSS and thrives in the RSS system.

Speaking on what changed in the RSS over the years, he said, “The working style of the Sangh has not changed, its culture and texture have not changed. There are three things about the Sangh that have not changed.”