Let’s play a little game. Without telling you who said this, here are some translated statements from a speech made by an important person:
• “We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it. After the construction of the Ram Mandir, some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable… Every day a new matter (dispute) is being raised. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together.”
• Later in the speech: “Who is a minority, and who is a majority? Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is that all can follow their own forms of worship. The only requirement is to live in harmony and abide by rules and laws.”
Any guesses about who the speaker might be? Does it sound like a secular party leader? Someone from the INDIA alliance? A left-winger?
Well, it was none other than Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). While many have a fixed image of the RSS, here we have its leader advocating for unity, harmony, equality, and a rejection of unnecessary religious disputes.
First, credit where it’s due. The RSS chief deserves praise for having the courage to make such statements in public. His words carry significant weight, especially among RSS members and those sympathetic to its ideology. His speech was bold because a section of the right-wing may strongly disagree with these ideas. News reports have already highlighted discontent among some Hindu religious heads and seers regarding his statements.
However, the RSS must do more. To stay relevant, lead effectively, and truly take India forward, it must reform, adapt, and modernize. If the RSS believes in its core mission of advancing India, it should continue striving for a tolerant, modern democracy driven by science, merit, talent, the rule of law, and peace.
Mohan Bhagwat’s speech was a commendable first step, signaling openness to change. In that spirit, and not as criticism, here are two key reforms the RSS should enact immediately:
1. Focus on Education, Especially Cutting-Edge Fields
Communities that progress beyond the average, such as Jews in the USA or Parsis in India, do so through a relentless focus on education. The RSS could play a transformative role by embracing science and urging the government to build state-of-the-art educational institutions—true “temples of excellence.”
These institutions should teach cutting-edge subjects like artificial intelligence, modern medicine, quantum computing, and advanced research in every field. Instead of defensively claiming, “Hindus were always scientific,” or citing ancient accomplishments, we need to accept that the past is only marginally relevant to the future. No, we didn’t invent the airplane. Yes, some ancient texts showcased good imagination, but we missed the Industrial Revolution and the development of gunpowder, which allowed others to dominate us.
What matters now is the future. The RSS should focus on redefining modern Hinduism—not by defending or glorifying every ancient tradition, but by keeping the ones that serve us, adapting some to modern times, and discarding those that no longer have value.
2. Clamp Down on Hindu Extremist Voices
Anything that divides Indian society, promotes violence, or fixates on a mythical narrative of India’s “glorious Hindu past” should be discouraged. Not everything in the past was glorious. The caste system, for example, may have started with good intentions but ultimately led to massive injustices and societal divisions that persist to this day.
If we fail to learn from history and move forward, India will not become a glorious republic, nor will the Hindu community thrive. Instead—and this may be hard to hear—Hindus risk becoming a billion-strong workforce of clerks, delivery drivers, and servers for the non-Hindu world.
Progress requires embracing productive modernity. No, this doesn’t mean indulgence in drinking, drugs, or depravity. Productive modernity means adopting practices and traditions that help us thrive while letting go of those that hold us back.
The Challenge of a New RSS
While it’s easy to call on the RSS to modernize, another challenge looms: What if Indian society isn’t ready for this change?
What if millions of Indians still prefer the dogmatic, hardline version of the RSS—one that advocates for a Hindu Rashtra and prioritizes keeping Muslims “in their place”? This is the real dilemma.
What can the RSS do when society itself resists progress? What impact can a speech urging unity and development have when millions would rather watch nightly TV debates over temple-mosque disputes than engage in meaningful discussions about India’s progress?
The Real Test of Strength
The RSS faces a pivotal test: Can it say and do the right thing, even in the face of resistance from its own base?
Yes, it can—but it will require courage. People can change, society can reform, but it can only be nudged to do so, step by step. Reform can’t be shoved down people’s throats. Also, people only listen to people they trust. And here lies the RSS’s unique strength.
Many Indians distrust elite left-wing intellectuals (stereotyped as “Khan Market types”), even when they make sensible points. The RSS, however, enjoys the trust of millions. This positions it uniquely to nudge Indian society toward reform and progress.
A Worthy Mission
Reforming Indian society will be an incredibly hard, thankless, and even scary job for the RSS. It’s far easier to declare, “Hindus are great,” or claim, “We had the best civilization 1,000 years ago,” and receive instant applause. But telling people to focus on artificial intelligence or modern education instead of obsessing over Muslims? That’s the hard part.
Yet, isn’t this challenge worth pursuing? The RSS can become a powerful asset to the nation if it helps shape not only itself but also Indian society into a more productive, progressive force.
Let’s hope the RSS embraces these reforms and, like the bold speech from its chief, continues to make courageous moves that unify India and take it forward.