RSS's Tryst With Politics: From Hedgewar to Sudarshan

by Pralay Kanungo

Overview

This RSS is perhaps the most controversial organization in contemporary India. This book explores the mission, method and motive of the RSS and suggests that the ideological core of the RSS—Hindu Rashtra—is political and not cultural. It argues that K.B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, had a clear political mission, while M.S. Golwalkar, his successor, despite his saintly appearance and overt distaste for ‘politics’, sharpened and amplified its ideology. Nevertheless, deep down the RSS remained political. This book goes on to delineate how Balasaheb Deoras, the third chief, who did not have much of a fancy for ‘culture’, plunged into Indian politics on the organizational and ideological foundation created by his predecessors. Deoras seriously pursued the homogenizing agenda of the RSS to integrate different sections like the Dalits, tribals and women into the fold of the Hindu Rashtra.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788173043987
Publisher:	Manohar Publishers and Distributors
Publication date:	05/02/2024
Pages:	314
Product dimensions:	6.75(w) x 9.87(h) x (d)

About the Author

Pralay Kanungo is an University lecturer at Leiden University. He was a Professor and Chair, Centre for Political Studies, JNU, New Delhi and a Visiting Professor at Maison des Sciences De L’Homme, Paris. His publications include, The Algebra of Welfare-Warfare (co-edited); Cultural Entrenchment of Hindutva (co-edited).