For RSS blowing hot and cold in the same breath is not the sign of its irresoluteness, instead it reflects the highest form of its duplicity; when its right face is not aware of the message its left face was sending. Only a week back the RSS leadership sent a message to its rank and file across the country that it was no more engaged in a polemical combat with Narendra Modi and he continues to be public face of the saffron ecosystem, but on October 26 addressing the RSS cadres, its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale endorsed UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s ’batenge toh katenge’ remark on Hindu unity, and projected him virtually as the new modern face of Hindus and Hindutva.
Yogi Adityanath through his controversial remark ‘batenge to katenge’, intended to convey the message that Hindus ‘will be slaughtered if divided’. Indeed Hosabale endorsing this slogan did not come as a shock. Post Lok Sabha election it had become quite explicit that the phrase Hindutva had lost much of its importance for the Hindus and the RSS leadership was desperately in search for a new slogan. Yogi mantra has come as the major gain for RSS. This is evident in his remark at the meet that calling for unity among Hindus is the lifetime pledge of the Sangh.
It is an open secret that Yogi does not belong to RSS coterie, nonetheless he was entrusted with the important task to rule the most important Hindutva-RSS dominated state UP. Obviously RSS reposing this nature of trust in his leadership underscores his importance in the saffron ecosystem. Though Modi has much wider space, he operated at all India level and in contrast Yogi has a small space to operate, but it is most important that he has been entrusted with the responsibility to strengthen and guard the Hindutva laboratory of India. The state must be in a strong hand, has been the primary consideration.
Dattatreya Hosabale, at the RSS meet, highlighted the importance to combat societal divisions. He cautioned against discrimination based on language or caste, linking unity to broader societal peace and safety amidst rising divisive forces.
Hosabale asserted that discrimination based on language, state, or caste could lead to societal decay. “If we discriminate/divide on the basis of language, state, upper and backward castes, then we will be decimated (Hum jaati, bhasha, prant agla-pitchda bhed se hum karenge toh hum katenge),” he warned, underlining the urgency for unity among Hindus. He stated, “The issue is of Hindu unity… when people forget the Hindu thought, they invite disaster.”
This speech of Hosabale has wider connotation. This sends a cleared message that RSS has not reconciled to the idea of allowing Modi to continue in power and he also does not represent its philosophy and politics of Hindutva. The catchword of Yogi ‘batenge toh katenge’ is more insidious and relevant for the RSS.
On the occasion what Hosabale said was more important and meaningful: “The issue is of Hindu unity. In fact, we often say that those who forget the Hindu thought invite disaster, lose their family, land and places of worship. The spirit is the same. The issue is unity in society. (Samaj ekatmata se nahi rahega toh .. itihaas kehta hai.. hum to kehte hain jab jab Hindu bhaav ko bhoole aayi vipada mahaan bhai tootey dharti khoi mitey dharma sansthan .. yeh hamara geet hai … toh usko aajkal ki bhasha main aisa aapne jo kaha ho sakta hai. Mudda kya hain, Samaj ki ekta)”.
No doubt Yogi’s slogan forced the Hindus to do some soul searching. Modi used to malign and attack Muslims. He said Hinduism was facing crisis, but he did not create panic amongst the Hindus. But Yogi has been trying to panic Hindus and tell them in spite of having a population of around 100 crores, they were facing threat to their identity. True enough UP has been laboratory of this experiment and his using bulldozer against the Muslims manifest this brand of politics. Some RSS leaders those are sceptical of this line of Yogi hold the view that he was using this to terrorise Muslims and force them to surrender. In this backdrop, Hosabale’s assertion that there are forces actively attempting to create divisions among Hindus through religion, caste, and ideology ought to be analysed seriously.
But it does not appear that Yogi’s slogan would cut much ice with the OBCs, EBCs and Tribals and make them rally behind RSS. Even RSS leaders confide that a large section of Hindus have not received this slogan with smile. They apprehend that it would simply further split the Hindu society. Already a big chunk of OBCs and EBCs are opposed to him and distanced from the BJP.
Meanwhile the recent meeting between Adityanath and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has attracted wide political attention. Hosabale mentioned that Yogi assured Bhagwat that upcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj would be projected as the major rallying point for the Hindus. His attempt would be to project Hindutva as the key issue before the people; more important than the economic issues. This year’s Kumbh will be more meaningful and successful than previous iterations.
But the RSS leadership is not sure of the success of their plan. BJP and RSS leaders owing allegiance to Modi are determined not to allow space to the RSS. They plan to put more efforts and energy in the elections and ensure the victory of BJP candidates. The sources close to Modi confide that they are sure that results from Maharashtra would go their way. Nevertheless they are resorting to all kinds of actions in Jharkhand. They hold win in these two states will force Mohan Bhagwat and his aides to retreat and blunt threat from Yogi. Narendra Modi will again reign supreme.
Modi’s think tank is also busy evolving new set of strategies to reach out to the Hindus. Consolidating the community ahead of elections is for his political survival. Though Modi has endorsed Yogi’s slogan “batenge toh katenge” this was for showing outward unity. RSS’s endorsement of Yogi’s slogan comes amid growing concern over electoral setbacks. Recent bypolls defeats in Dhule and Mumbai of Maharashtra has shaken the trust of the RSS and BJP. Aides of Modi would certainly not like the proposition of Yogi being presented as the new face of Hindu, the position held by Modi. (IPA Service)