Ban On Govt Employees Joining RSS Activities Lifted To Better Sangh & Modi’s Relation?

New Delhi: After a memorandum reportedly issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension to lift a decades-old ban on government employees participating in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities went viral on social media, it is being questioned whether such a move has been taken to improve the apparently strained relations. The memorandum was reportedly issued on July 9, 2024.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lambasted such a move. “After June 4th, 2024, relations between the self-anointed non-biological PM and the RSS have nosedived. On July 9, 2024, the 58-year ban that was in force even during Mr Vajpayee’s tenure as PM was removed,” the Congress leader said, according to an India Today report.

Soon after the Lok Sabha election results were announced, political circles were abuzz with talks on purported strained relations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, said to be the BJP’s ideological parent.

While addressing a Sangh gathering less than a week after the LS poll results, Mohan Bhagwat had reportedly said a ‘true sevak never develops ahankaar.’ According to media reports, he had referred to Manipur to illustrate the collapse of social harmony. “Consensus is our tradition,” Bhagwat said, according to media reports. He had added that the Opposition must be thought of as the ‘pratipaksh’ (those who have a different point of view) and not as a ‘virodhi’ (opponent).

The indications of a strained relation were also apparent when recently Bhagwat was addressing a village-level workers’ meeting in Jharkhand’s Gumla. Media reports claimed that the RSS chief had emphasised the need to work for the welfare of people and stated that there are men who want ‘to become superman, then devta, bhagwan and even aspire for vishwaroop.’ Earlier, Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi had taken a jibe at the Prime Minister at the Parliament for being a ‘superhuman’ and having ‘a direct connection with God.’

Meanhwile, BJP leader Amit Malviya had confirmed that the Narendra Modi-led administration had withdrawn the “unconstitutional order” that had imposed a ban on government workers participating in RSS activities.

“The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on government employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi government. The original order shouldn’t have been passed in the first place,” Malviya posted on X.

“The ban was imposed because, on November 7, 1966, there was a massive anti-cow-slaughter protest at the Parliament. RSS-Jana Sangh mobilised support in lakhs. Many died in police firing. On 30 Nov 1966, shaken by the RSS-Jana Sangh clout, Indira Gandhi banned Govt staff from joining the RSS,” he added in the post.

The RSS was first declared an unlawful organisation in 1948 due to concerns over its activities after a member, Nathuram Godse, assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. “Sardar Patel had banned the RSS in February 1948 following Gandhi ji’s assassination. Subsequently, the ban was withdrawn on assurances of good behaviour. Even after this the RSS never flew the Tiranga in Nagpur,” Ramesh told India Today.

According to the Congress leader, in 1966, a fresh ban was introduced. The government order, issued at that time, had reportedly stated that the involvement of government employees in the activities of both the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh and the Jamaat-e-Islami would attract the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules. Meanwhile, RSS has welcomed the lifting of the ban.