"Do Not See Benefits, But Harm": RSS Opposes Caste Census Demand, Clarifies Stance To Maharashtra BJP Leaders

On Tuesday (19 November), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) declared its non-support towards the call for a caste-based census, insisting that this action could exacerbate social disparities in the nation, Hindustan Times reported.

High-ranking officials from RSS clarified the organisation's position to lawmakers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena (Shinde group). These legislators, from both the Maharashtra State Assembly and Council, visited the RSS' Smruti Mandir complex in Nagpur on Tuesday.

Shridhar Ghadge, the senior RSS pracharak and head of Vidarbha prant, addressed the gathering of saffron party legislators, expressing his disapproval. He conveyed that he saw no benefits in it, but rather harm. Ghadge asserted that it was the source of inequality and that promoting it was unjustifiable.

He went on to convey the RSS's willingness to cooperate with the government, provided the supposed advantages of a caste census are sufficiently clarified.

Notably, during the ministers' and legislators' visit, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and the organisation's general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, were not present in Nagpur. Interestingly, both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were conspicuously missing during the visit to the RSS premises.

Despite their role in the Maharashtra government, no members of the NCP, including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, participated in the visit to the RSS office, disregarding the invitation extended by the BJP.

Amol Mitkari, a representative of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), stated that the decision to visit a specific place is a party's prerogative. "Though the BJP invited the NCP, none of our members attended," said Mitkari, highlighting that Pawar has remained steadfast in his commitment to his secular principles ever since his faction became part of the coalition government.

The RSS's objection to the caste-based census follows Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement last month, where he indicated that the BJP did not oppose a caste-based census, especially considering the recent one conducted by the Bihar government.

In reaction to Shah's remarks, Ghadge articulated that while political parties may hold individual positions on various issues, the RSS has made its stance clear on not supporting a caste-based census.

Ghadge emphasised that the RSS has always advocated for social equality, and believes that the existing caste-based divisions in our nation are a source of societal inequality. Therefore, the RSS is of the view that such inequality should not be exacerbated by measures such as a caste-based census, he stated.