'RSS's reverence for Babasaheb not new'

The RSS has been trying to prove its affinity with Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. Its all-India prachar pramukh Manmohan Vaidya spoke to Akhilesh Kumar Singh about Sangh’s views on the Dalit icon.
How does the RSS view Ambedkar?
Ambedkar was a great patriot who strived for a transformation in Hindu society based on liberty, equality, fraternity and justice.He effectively led a movement to fight against unjust and inhuman caste discrimination prevailing in Hindu society. His struggle was aimed at empowering deprived sections to enable them to lead a dignified life. Besides, he was a visionary, an excellent scholar, eminent economist, foreign policy expert, labour reformer, educationist and, of course, constitutionalist. We want to bring these aspects of Babasaheb’s personality to the forefront.
Why is the RSS suddenly so interested in Ambedkar?
Neither reverence for Ambedkar nor respect for his efforts to end caste-based discrimination is new for the RSS. Right from its inception, the RSS did not believe in caste discrimination and untouchability. When Mahatma Gandhi visited the RSS camp in Wardha (near Nagpur) in 1934, he lauded the absence of untouchability in the RSS, which is on record. After Ambedkar’s demise in 1956, Shri Guruji Golwalkar (the then sarsanghachalak) paid tribute to him as a leader who possessed the sharp intellect of Adi Shankaracharya and the compassionate heart of Bhagwan Buddha. It was because of the initiative of Shri Golwalkar that all shankaracharyas and dharmacharyas passed a resolution that untouchability has no place in Hindutva or Hindu dharma in a dharma sammelan (religious conclave) at Udupi (Karnataka) in 1969. In the RSS, we remind ourselves of the contributions made by great sons and daughters of Bharat through Ekatmata Stotra (Verses of Unity) on a daily basis. This stotra includes the names of great social reformers like Narayana Guru, Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule and Thakkar Bapa which is sung with reverence all over India in RSS programmes. So, this is not a sudden decision or a reaction.
Is it because he was against Islamic expansion?
No, not really. (Although you admit that he was against Islamic expansion). Babasaheb was surely for Bharat. He was well aware of the soul of Bharat and never took any step that went against it even while protesting against the ills prevailing in Hindu society.
In 1983, a pleasant coincidence took place. Birth anniversary of Dr Hedgewar (the founder of the RSS), Chaitra Shukla Pratopada, the beginning of the Hindu calendar, and Ambedkar’s birthday, April 14, fell on the same day. That day, RSS swayamsevaks under the leadership of Dattopant Thengadi initiated a social movement called ‘Samajik Samarasata Manch’ to end caste-based social discrimination and create a harmonious society. A decade later, an agitation started in Aurangabad to rename Marathwada University as Dr Ambedkar University. The RSS not only openly and whole-heartedly supported this demand but also worked tirelessly to calm down the inimical atmosphere created by some political leaders and parties.
Was he not a strong anti-Brahminical social structure lobbyist?
Brahminism is a politically motivated publicity jargon fabricated by forces with vested interests. If it means caste-based discrimination and inhuman practices like untouchability, then the RSS also stands against it. Babasaheb was never anti-Brahmin. His mentor was a Brahmin. He was against all forms of casteism and caste-based discrimination. There are many social reformers who were from Brahmin community who fought against such social evils.
Is it that the saffron fold is trying to woo Dalits and also restrain the community from conversions?
We are not a political outfit. So no question of wooing any community. We are working to undo the injustice done to a section of our own society by our own people, bridge the gap and create a harmonious society at the earliest. As the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar (1891-2016) follows the 125th birth anniversary of Hedgewar (1889-2014), the RSS took special efforts to take the true message of social harmony and national awakening that was dear to both these great sons of Bharat Mata.
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