I woke up at 6 in the morning to
the chants of “mother India,”(Namaste sada
vatsle matribhume). A motley group of 10-15 lads were jumping and crossing
ropes in the field. It is usual morning ritual beside my apartment in
Vasundhara (East Delhi) The whistle blowing group leader charges youth to run
fast and faster in the field.
It was going on for long time but
enthusiasm and fervor was missing. But for some time participation seems to
have increased many times since Modi government came to power. Shakhas or the
training centres of the RSS have gained strength with new entrants coming and
joining the ranks thick and fast.
The field near my apartment used
to be the place, where youths in their teens were eating and smoking banned
substances. They have been replaced by cheering youths. Mobilising
directionless youths to join the ranks would be difficult task.
BJP remained out of power for a
decade, in those years; RSS ran shakhas with mass support wearing thin.
Shakhas would be set up all
across the country and especially in Hindi heartland where BJP lost it to
regional parties, namely Samajwadi Party
and Bahujan Samaj Party. During Ram
temple movement shakas used to be a common sight. RSS would walk an
extra mile to bring those dalits to the training camps, who were watching it
from sidelines. It remains to be seen, how SP&BSP react to it.
On the political front, BJP
government at the centre would try to engage those close to RSS and its
affiliates to bring them into mainstream politics. This is a long drawn
process. Those who are watching politics in Delhi vouch for Modi's reticence.
"Modi would be the last man
to allow RSS and its affiliates taking centrestage, given his autocratic style
of functioning."
Modi, who has been trained in
traditional Sangh family, has however adopted conciliatory tone much to the
surprise of secular class. It's a long road ahead; country will see many more churning.
Country would see politics changing its shades.
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