Ahead of the result of crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, where the BJP is said to be locked in a keen fight, the Rastreeya Swayam Sevak Sangh(RSS), its ideological philosopher, is seen in openly expressing it’s difference of opinions against various policies of Narendra Modi-led government at the centerc. Till now, it is mostly confining giving `friendly advices’.
The highest decision- making forum of the RSS, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) baithak is scheduled to be held at Ahmedabad from March 11-13, a day after the announcement of results of five assembly elections.
Ahead of this annual meeting, RSS has expressed its displeasure over Modi government’s proposed legislation on the age of marriage for women.Clearly conveying its difference on this issue, the RSS said it believes such issues should be left to society to decide.
RSS is also said to be worried on the handling of Hijab row both by the Karnataka’s BJP government and also the Central government. Many of its functionaries are said to be unhappy that a small issue, confined to few educational institutions in two district of Karnataka, was allowed to spread like a `national issue’.
They are expressing concern that it has been blown out of proportion and should have been handled at the local issue. These two issues, along with other contemporary issues, are likely to be discussed during the Ahmedabad bhaithak.
RSS holds its ABPS meetings every year to take stock of the organization and its work, besides chalking out future court of action. The meeting is attended by all top leaders of the RSS, representatives from regions across the country and over 30 associated organisations.
According to a news report, a senior functionary of the RSS admitted that the issue of marriageable age is under discussion, on which there are many viewpoints. For instance, among the tribals or in rural areas, marriages happen early.
The government is concerning that early marriages are resulting in girls discontinuing of their education, besides exposing to several health problems due to early pregnancy.
But, the question is how much should the government interfere in such matters? RSS strongly felt that certain things should be left to the society. There were also opinions shared with the government to bring everyone’s marriageable age down to 18 years, but some social organisations opposed this.
Government of India brought a bill that seeks to increase the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 in the Parliament monsoon session, during December. Later, this was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for further discussion, due to some reservations from the opposition member.
RSS sources also indicating that it has a similar point of view on the issue of marital rape and believes it should be left to the family to decide how to deal with it. It is fearing that these two issues may go against its ongoing nation-wide campaign to review culture of familial bond, which it says has come under stress due to modern economic compulsions and western influence.
The RSS is holding like a programme , Kutumb Prabodhan that has the family as the most important unit of society and pushes people to spend at least a day in a week with their larger family and eat together.
RSS leadership is strongly believing that there should not be a political discussion on these, rather a social one. Helpless societies demand laws for everything. A strong society must find a solution on its own. If governance improves with less government, so does society.
RSS sources also said they believes that the recent controversy in Karnataka over the wearing of hijab in classrooms has been blown out of proportion. “While we see this as the Popular Front of India trying to increase its sphere of influence, we believe the matter should have been handled at the local level. That is why the Sangh is not pushing the matter. But it is also true that consistently coming up with ways to assert religious identity is not good.
This year’s meet is also significant as it will discuss the centenary celebrations of the RSS in 2025.
