Whose government is it? RSS or BJP?

This is a question that rankles every Indian. Whom did we elect to be at the helm? Is it BJP whose face is Narendra Modi, contested the elections on the basis of “Sabka hit sabka kalyan.” Then what role does RSS play in the matters of states concerns.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was founded in the year 1925, and claims to be driven by the principle of “selfless service to the nation.” RSS is inspired by the right wing groups that emerged and flourished in Europe during the Second World War It became the most prominent Nationalist group which promoted the Hindu cause. Organisations such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad are inspired by the RSS ideology.

The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, has labelled RSS as an extremist group. The demolition of Babri Masjid has managed to taint the image of RSS and was sufficient to create a feeling of discontent within the Country.

BJP or the Bhartiya Janata Party is the political wing of the RSS. There is an adherence to the right wing Hindu ideology within the BJP, and their claim to fame was the, provocative ‘Ram Janma bhoomi’ issue. To BJP the RSS is their ideological figure and acts as the mentor of the party. Thus the association between BJP and RSS is not only present but runs deep.

This however, cannot mean that the government is run by the RSS. In a democracy the government is governed by the elected party. The means of running the government is in detail prescribed in the Indian constitution. In India the supremacy of the constitution is above everything else. The maximum influence that RSS can have is, it can create a propaganda to influence popular opinion or to influence the decisions of the political leaders belonging to BJP. This does not mean that RSS will have any role in the Legislative (law making), executive (law implementing) and judiciary (Law upholding) bodies of the country. This is the prerogative of the government and an ideology.