Rss 360° Page 17

  Characteristics of the RSS Volunteer as per Data Analysis

  Dr Modh had devised the questionnaire that would lead her to draw her conclusions objectively about the personal behaviour of an RSS worker, as also to analyse his personality. For example:

  Is RSS worker, really, a devoted Hindu? Does he believe in doing Puja/Meditation?

  RSS claims to work for uniting Hindus. It would be interesting to find out whether those who work for RSS are traditional Hindus, doing Puja or meditation regularly or just using this platform for some hidden agenda as the critics allege. It was found that almost 65.8 per cent of the RSS workers in the sample were religious by nature.

  How dedicated is an RSS worker?

  One touch stone for a dedicated worker is how much time he dedicates to his social work. The questionnaire said almost 47.8 per cent workers devoted more than two hours daily. Nearly 24 per cent said that they were able to do so sometimes. Quarter of the workers in the sample (28.2%) found it difficult to devote so much time regularly.

  Is RSS activist a staunch ‘Swadeshi’? Would he buy ‘Swadeshi’ products even if inferior in quality?

  More than half the workers in the sample (53%) agreed that they would.

  A Unique “Micro Unit Management” System: The Shakha

  Dr Modh observes, “The RSS has evolved a management system where the smallest unit gets the maximum attention. The organisation structure of the RSS is created in such a way that it facilitates the smooth running of a “Shakha”. Even during its Annual General Meeting of ‘Pratinidhi Sabha’ the focus is on the number of shakhas, its average attendance and the issues associated with its functioning.”

  “…. Various functions of Shakha are distributed, and for carrying them out there is an arrangement. There are no officers, there are office bearers (kaaryakartaa with responsibilities). Each responsibility is structured to carry out some task during the Shakha hour. Bereft of that, all are equal, all are friends, all are brothers. This unique feeling of comradeship is the characteristic of the RSS and it is the outcome of the RSS methodology of running a Shakha.”

  Continuous Training for Teamwork and Leadership

  Continuing with Dr Modh’s analysis, “The RSS believes that there are no such things as ‘leadership traits’ or ‘leadership characteristics’. May be, some people are better leaders than others. By and large, though, we are talking about skills of leadership that can be learnt by most of the people. There are continuous programmes throughout the year which keep on honing the organisational skills of a Swayamsevak. There is also an opportunity for organic development of RSS and its workers. When, the kaaryakartaa is going through planning and organising such events, year after year, he keeps on acquiring leadership skills, without his knowledge.”

  Empirical Testing of Guna Framework

  The most interesting part of this research was analysis of RSS workers on the parameters of Gunas to explain the human responses as expounded by Dr S K Chakraborty. These Gunas are: Dull (Tamas), Passionate (Rajas) and Balanced (Satwa). A classification of factors (obtained from factor analysis) was carried out by Dr Modh based on prior characteristics of Gunas, that is: (a) Satwic Guna: Commitment to Mission and Ethical; (b) Rajasic Guna: Passionate, Authoritarian, Motivated and (c) Tamasic Guna: Inflexible, Indolent, Distracted , Disinterested.

  She noted that that the RSS workers scored more than average on Satwic and Rajasic Guna variables and less than average on Tamasic Guna variables. In conclusion, she says, an RSS worker can be called a “Satwo-Rajasic” type personality according to the Guna theory.

  Conclusions of the Study

  To paraphrase her conclusions: “Philosophy of the RSS covers Hindu value system and the need to organise the entire Hindu society. The RSS uses the synthesis of religious construct, Hinduism and Nationalism in its philosophy and has crystallised it as Hindutva.” To my mind this use of religious construct is more close to Tilak who directly linked it to nationalism than Gandhi.

  She believes that Dr Hedgewar’s major achievement was that he succeeded in changing certain deep-rooted wrong conceptions in the people’s mental make-up prevailing about social work at that time. She writes, “An ordinary person thinks that it is sufficient for him to provide some financial assistance to one or the other social cause, or when he has free time he should participated in social programmes. Majority of people would either keep themselves entirely unconcerned or are contented with only expressing sympathies. Dr Hedgewar had designed and organised Shakha programmes so as to overcome such mental blocks about social activities and to unhesitatingly participate in them.”

  Importance of Mission

  To quote Dr Modh, “A non-profit organisation exists for its mission. The mission of the RSS is to unite and rejuvenate Indian nation on the sound foundation of dharma. This mission can be achieved by a strong and united Hindu society. Therefore, the RSS has undertaken the task of uniting the Hindus. Rejuvenation of the Hindu nation is in the interest of the whole humanity. From Dr. Hedgewar’s time till today, Hindu Unity has been the sole, unfaltering mission of the RSS.”

  She concludes that “Lesson to be learnt by organisations is that the mission statement should be simple, clear and direct. A mission statement has to be operational, otherwise it is just good intentions. A mission statement has to focus on what the institution really is trying to do and then do it so that everybody in the organisation can say; this is my contribution to the goal. The mission is forever; the goals are temporary.”

  X

  Organisational Structure

  Physical structure

  The RSS has a highly federal structure that is defined clearly in its constitution. Though the policies are controlled centrally, the execution of different ideas and plans is left to the regional, state or local level depending upon the scale of a plan.

  An RSS volunteer is the basic cell of this huge network of the organisation. A ‘gat’ or team is the smallest unit of operation in a shakha. Shakha is a complete local level unit by itself headed by a mukhya shikshak (chief instructor or teacher) and kaaryavaah (secretary).

  Various shakhas are organised at the level of ‘tehsil’ in villages and ‘mandal’ that form part of a ‘nagar’ in case of urban areas. The next level is District (jilaa) level committees, followed by State (praant) and Region (kshetra). The final organisational block is Central Committee (Kendriya Kaaryakaarini) that is chosen from its Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (All India Delegates Council) that is an elected body.

  Organisational units from Tehsil or Mandal to Central level have karyavah as the executive head of the team and in-charge of overall activities. The guide and philosopher at each level is ‘sanghchaalak’, that is President of the organisation of a particular area). He is accorded great respect and dignity but has no constitutional executive power except the moral authority to persuade the team to take a certain view or help bring around consensus for a policy decision. He does not take part in day to day functioning or decision making of the organisation; this falls under a kaaryavaah’s domain. His most important role is that of a guardian to all the volunteers and workers. He is the public face of RSS in the locality. Sanghchaalak commands high respect and his word carries weight. Though, he does not have executive powers, his word, as and when he puts it, is taken as final word on a matter.

  Committees at all the levels have members for physical training, intellectual training, social service, co-ordination for other associate organisations and a few other members assigned to some responsibility depending upon the size of the organisation in that area.

  Regular elections are held every three years for the central body where local delegates in different geographical regions vote for members to the national committee (pratinidhi sabha), and these members vote for the post of General Secretary (Sar Kaaryavaah). The delegates need to have a good record of organisational work to qualify as delegates. The post of Sarsanghchaalak (All India President of RSS) is non-elective. As a convention and p
art of its constitution he is nominated by his predecessor after due discussions with the most senior members of the central committee (Kendriya kaaryakaarini. So, it is not one man’s decision though he carries the final responsibility of this nomination.

  Resolutions passed in the Pratinidhi Sabha and Kendriya Karyakarini Mandal truly reflects RSS views of various issues facing the nation and Hindu society at a given time. A serious student of the RSS should read these resolutions which are made public immediately and sent to media for publication. He or she will, then, be able to appreciate the clarity of thought, assertive and uncompromising views on various national and social issues which are guided by a long term vision of this great nation rather than short term political exigencies of the times. It has supported any government whole heartedly in case of any foreign aggression through resolutions and on ground. In its resolutions, RSS has criticized or supported the government of the day purely on issues and policies. Even while criticizing a policy or situation, it offers solutions to the situation and its full support for such measures. In most of the difficult situations, it appeals to swayamsevaks to come forward to resolve it and then exhorts citizens of India to come forward to help resolve a problem. If governments were to give a little importance to these resolutions they could gain much from the accumulated wisdom from the field.

  Communications

  A special feature of RSS is that all its shakha commands are in Sanskrit. The senior office bearers and select seniors of the RSS who sat down to give a formal shape to day to day working of the RSS after a few years of its inception, decided to opt for Sanskrit to take care of the problem of multiplicity of languages in India. Sanskrit, being the mother of Indian languages, was the ideal choice. It is a different matter that even this integral approach is a grudge point for its critics. Though, Hindi is the most spoken language, the RSS gives equal respect to all languages. This has resulted in a harmonious growth of the RSS and a sense of oneness between the volunteers of different regions.

  There is a structured way a communication or an instruction passes from the headquarters to a local shakha or from a state level or district level to the local level unit. It is an unwritten protocol that any directive or information must pass through the designated hierarchy. There is no short cut from top to bottom or bottom to top. There is formal and informal system of information sharing that flows both ways. This two way flow of information and feedback helps its leaders to remain firmly grounded on social and political issues from local to national or international level.

  Communications in any particular region generally happens in the local language. Even English is used where required. Patriotic songs that are sung in shakhas are either in Hindi or the local language. There are a few Sanskrit songs also. The daily prayer that is recited as the concluding activity of a shakha is in Sanskrit.

  Personality Neutral Organisation

  A unique feature of the RSS is that the ‘Guru’ i.e. the supreme teacher of RSS members is not a person. It is ‘Bhagwaa dhwaj’ or ‘saffron flag’ (like we see on the temples). Doctor Hedgewar realised through his long social career that no person can be perfect. A Guru has to be as perfect as possible. Even a perfect person can make mistake and fall from grace. There are a number of examples about fall from grace right from Sage Vishwaamitra to modern times. The supreme guru needs to be above reproach. A human being as a Guru can also lead to personality cult where a person becomes more important than the purpose.

  The Guru must also reflect all the qualities that the organisation wishes to imbibe and remind one of its ideals. Considering all these factors, Dr Hedgewar decided that ‘Bhagwaa Dhwaj’ should be the supreme teacher or the Guru of the RSS activists. It symbolises all that is noble, all the qualities worth imbibing - glorious heritage of Bharat, spirit of sacrifice as well as courage. From time immemorial, this flag has had a pride of place in India, used on the chariot of various warriors since the times of Mahabharata to Swami Ramdas (Guru of Shivaji) and worn by great saints from ancient times to current times. Most inspiring of these in modern times is Swami Vivekanand, named ‘the Saffron Monk from India’ by the mesmerised Americans. Saffron reminds one of all that is great and noble about this country. In that sense, ‘saffronisation’ of country is a desirable objective.

  This far sighted idea of Doctor Hedgewar has stood the test of time. Every time one its illustrious leader passes away, press and critics write obituary of RSS. But, organisation keeps growing irrespective of the person who heads the organisation. The activist is so clear about his mission that it does not matter who is heading the organisation. If he has a problem with any pronouncement of the Chief, he will criticise or complain to his seniors or colleagues, but will keep working nonetheless, knowing that mission is bigger than any person. No person is bigger than the organisation or the ideology. RSS calls its work ‘vyakti nirapeksha’ and ‘sthiti nirapeksha’ that is, not dependent on a person or a situation.

  Self Financing of the Organisation – Guru Dakshina

  RSS has a unique system of financing the activities of the organisation at all levels of operations. It has been criticised and targeted for legal actions many a times by many governments that are envious of the smooth working of the organisation. It is the only organisation which, has not asked for donations or grants to run its organisation in its entire existence. It is the only organisation where members spend out of their pocket to enjoy any activity or face any hardship of winter camps, or training camps, and even social work. For any activity, the members contribute to the cost themselves, ‘going Dutch’ as we call it today. If a member cannot pay for his camp fee, another member may help him out without any other people in the group knowing about it. It is like a family.

  There is an annual function (or festival or utsav) named ‘Guru Poojan and Guru Dakshina’ (worshipping the Guru) which takes place on the auspicious occasion of ‘Guru Purnima’ a festival dedicated to worshipping and expressing one’s gratitude to one’s teachers and is celebrated all over India since time immemorial. This day is also called ‘Vyas Puja day’ in the memory of ancient Guru Ved Vyas. In this programme, all the members bow before the Guru – Bhagwaa Dhwaj, offer flowers and dedicate their own contribution for the organisation in an unmarked envelope. There is no discussion afterwards about who donated what amount. There is no distinction between a rich and poor member; nor are the organisational posts offered on the basis of one’s financial clout or on the basis of this once a year contribution. This contribution is deposited with the local branch and is used for various activities of RSS and sometimes offered for some other activities where it is needed. It is also used to support the prachaarak’s expenses who works in that area. Thus, RSS is a fully self-financed organisation. This independence from favours gives RSS the moral strength to stand up to any persecution and not to bow to any pressure.

  Training Camps and Workshops

  There are annual winter camps of two to three days for all the volunteers – for all age groups: 12 to 80 years. Participants in these camps are members who attend shakhas regularly. These camps have physical as well as intellectual sessions. These are intensive, highly exhausting and physically challenging camps that act as refresher courses and renew the energies of hundreds of volunteers who come together. This coming together of similar minds creates very positive vibes for the attendees. The atmosphere is of military like discipline with a command structure and generates an energizing experience, though facilities are very sparse.

  There are monthly or periodic workshops for the budding activists and young workers who have taken some responsibility already. They generally take place on weekends and are conducted at local level, tehsil or district level, depending on circumstances and organisational strength in the area. These have emphasis on skill enhancement in dealing with people and situations, intellectual training and physical drills.

  Sangh Shikshaa Varg

  The most important training that an activist goes through is Sangh Shikshaa Va
rg (or Sangh Training Workshop). This used to be called OTC (Officers’ Training Camp) in earlier days. These workshops are conducted in summers and last for three to four weeks. They are held, at state or regional level as making various arrangements for such a long period is not an easy task nor is it easy to get training faculty for a month. The entire physical and intellectual training faculty is voluntary. People take special leaves to attend or contribute to arrangements (called prabandhaks) or as instructors. I know of a volunteer, Apte ji who left for his training camp on the very next day of his marriage.

  The participants need to qualify for training camp through a primary training workshop of one week which takes place once a year at district level. The attendee also needs to have some RSS related responsibility i.e. he should be an office bearer. There is an age bar and young activists below 16 years are not allowed as the person needs to be mature enough, and these camps are very strenuous.

  The training is done over three such summer camps. They are called pratham varsh (first year), dwiteey varsh (second year) and triteey varsh (third year). The final training or third year training is conducted centrally at Nagpur. This is the ultimate qualification for an activist, referred to, in lighter vein, as post-graduation.

  For all these workshops, the physical instructors are supposed to be third year trained activists and intellectual training sessions are conducted by senior workers and prachaaraks. The senior all India office bearers or prachaaraks travel relentlessly all over Bharat for atleast two to three months as the training camps have to match with local summer vacations of colleges, making it necessary to spread them over this period. These camps have very tightly organised time tables. The sessions are divided into physical activities and lectures with discussions. The early mornings and evenings have tough physical regime while rest of the day is devoted to intellectual training.