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There has been a propaganda and stream of thought amongst certain sections of social media and BJP supporters that there exists an uppercaste-based lobby in BJP which is not allowing the rise of Narendra Modi (NM) on central politics. I would wish to rebut this thought and in the process of doing so, I will talk about two distinct streams of ideas which exist (or have existed) under the umbrella which is now known as "Hindutva".
The problems which some people allege exist between RSS top brass, certain VHP leaders and Narendra Modi, are in my understanding not the real ones. People attribute the origin of these problems as caste of RSS top-brass (which has traditionally dominated by Maharashtrian Brahmin community). This is not the problem. Yes there exists a difference in methodology of certain factions of RSS and Narendra Modi. But origin of this differences have nothing to do with their castes but with the older dichotomy between Veer Savarkar and Keshav Hedgewar.
RSS and HMS (Hindu MahaSabha) had some major differences in methodology of approaching problem - similar to INC's Garam Dal and Naram dal factions in the decade of 1910s. The scenario and times of late 1930s and 1940s were such that both RSS and HMS shared a common cadre base and agreed upon most of the workable definitions. But readers should simply check the thoughts of Savarkar (KP Jayaswal , David Frawley, Sitaram Goel and Ram Swarup and Francois Gautier etc) on Hindu sociopolity with those of Guru Golwalkar, DD Upadhyay, Tarun Vijay, Govindacharya, MG Vaidya, Dattopant Thengdi etc. You will get the difference that I am talking about.
NM represents the resurgent Savarkaraite meme of HMS. He may not say so explicitly, but the cadre which backs him fervently is from that stream. Savarkaraite stream is that of Shivaji which is much more threatening to Congress-system than RSS (which belongs vaguely to stream of Peshwas). RSS was reigned in (and was amenable to reign itself in) on three occasions (1948, 1975, 1992). HMS was exterminated in 1948. In times and places where 1947 like conditions are approaching and are present, these two sword arms of Dharmik purusha come together. In stable times, this is not the case always. This does not mean that there is clear antagonism between two. No, things are much more complicated than this.
Why do I think NM represents resurgence of Savarkaraite model of Hindutva? Firstly, he is the only national leader within parivar who pays shraddhanjali to Savarkar on his birth and death anniversary every year. Secondly, he does not make a big deal out of emotive issues like cow-slaughter, temples etc. Remember Savarkar's thoughts on all these issues and readers will see the difference. His recent decision encourage to train dalit children to be priests and be performed upanayanam upon, is in line of Savarkar's vision of eradicating Varna-Bheda.
Now, those belonging to RSS school (Hedgewar/Golwalkar) of Hindutva are much more traditionalists (Sanatani people). Savarkar's school tends to thrash most of the traditions (temple worship, Brahman priest, cow-reverence etc) which traditionalists are attached to. Many people sympathizing with RSS (Hedgewar himself) opposed Savarkar's definition of Hindu (one who considers India as fatherland and holy-land . RSS avoids this question.
Furthermore, Savarkaraite model of Hindutva idolizes heroes. Shivaji, Sambhaji, Savarkar, Ram and krishna (as heroes, not devatas), Ranjit Singh, LKA (for some period in late 80s and early 90s) and now NM. RSS model of Hindutva desists from idolizing individuals. It avoids scenarios where people start rallying around a hero, than a cause OR institution. Whatever problem that some sections of RSS have with NM is precisely here. According to RSS, it is unwise to let individual rise so high that his fall results in fall of entire structure. Instead of having one tall figure, lets have million midgets, all of them thinking in right directions and taking small steps in coherence.
I am not making case for OR against RSS. In course of time, it is RSS which survived and HMS which vanished. As time passed, all type of dharmik individuals rallied under the flag of RSS. As the number of such young people with Hindutva mindset is growing, it is natural that a large section will gravitate towards the HMS pole. But RSS survived precisely because there were no heroes OR icons which could be brought down. RSS can own and disown anyone which is a very desirable trait to have, given the hostile environment they had to thrive in past 80 years. Savarkaraite HMS could never do that - To give a figurative example from history - HMS chose Johar and Kesariya of Rajputs over slimy cunning of Ghanimi Qavvait of Marathas.
But it must be noted that times are changing. Although we might be gradually approaching 1947 like situation, Hindus are much more prosperous, strong, rallied and focused this time. Shivaji-Savarkarite model may not fail so dramatically this time. It may go much farther this time.
Let this Samudra manthana happen. Do not color it based on caste. Eventually, both models will throw up good Dharmik men, and this is what Bhaarata needs. Over the period of time, after two decades or so, we can have RSS (BJP) representing the Center-left wing of India's socio-polity and a party like Savarkaraite Hindu Mahasabha representing Center-Right wing of the same. This would mean the entire INC-network along with communist parties would find no takers and will be replaced by two arms of Hindutva. This will be the major milestone in this ongoing multigenerational quest of "Dharma-Sansthapana" and "Bhaarata-Vardhana"..
Shubham Astu !!!
