Modi’s act was a defining moment for social equality
Washing the feet of sanitation workers was an expression of gratitude, and an outcome of the RSS’s influence on him
The washing of feet of sanitation workers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Allahabad was one of the defining moments in our struggle as a society against social inequality, especially from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) view point.
What Prime Minister Modi did was actually a manifestation of the deep influence of the RSS’s ideology on him. The RSS believes that Hindu consolidation isn’t possible without bringing in social equality, as inequalities have fragmented Hindu society.
Balasaheb Deoras, the third sarsanghchalak of the RSS, played an instrumental role in shaping the organisation’s thought process on this issue. Incidentally, Deoras’ tenure as the RSS chief and Modi’s tenure as an RSS pracharak largely coincide. As a pracharak, Modi had to be involved in implementing various campaigns and initiatives taken by the RSS during Deoras’ tenure, which is known for the organisation’s rapid expansion among marginalised sections of the society, making the RSS a truly pan-India organisation.
It is quite natural that Deoras’ relentless focus on social equality did play a role in shaping Modi’s thought process about bringing social equality. What happened in Allahabad appears to be a reflection of this ideological influence. Deoras was the last RSS chief who came from the original batch of swayamsevaks who were trained and groomed by the RSS founder, KB Hedgewar, and it was during his long tenure as the RSS chief that the organisation focused a great deal on bringing the marginalised sections of the society into the mainstream. The result of these initiatives is the fact the RSS-backed organisations are running around two lakh welfare projects across the country.
The present sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, said in an interview published in Organiser (March 31, 2017), “Today, the influence of RSS is much higher, then it was not that great, but it was just a beginning. This egali- tarian approach of RSS was necessary for the society as well. Therefore, after assuming the responsibility of sarsanghachalak, Balasaheb unequivocally declared about the ‘social thrust’ as the main objective of the organisation. To make the meaning clear to the swayamsevaks and also to the society at large, Balasaheb deliberately prepared for months together and delivered his famous address in the Vasant Vyakhyanmala (a lecture series organised at Pune on May 8, 1974). Through that address a message was delivered to the larger society as well.”
Deoras’ speech has become the central axis of the RSS thinking on the issue of social equity and social justice. Deoras quite clearly said in this lecture series, “Every one of us …aim at eradicating social inequality in each and every form...It is necessary that every individual must make his or her contribution in this effort.”
It is clear that this gesture of washing the feet of sanitation workers, who are the lowest rung of the Indian socioeconomic structure cutting across geographical regions, also reflects Modi’s approach towards bringing social equality by creating a positive environment rather than an atmosphere of acrimony in which different groups are fighting with each other to have a larger pie of everything.
What Modi’s thinking is can be gauged from what Deoras quoted in the same lecture:
“Unfortunately, there are still some people in our society who believe in discrimination and are unable to grasp the right attitude. In the final analysis, they are all a part and parcel of the Hindu society... This was the way revered Dr. Hedgewar, the Founder of the Sangh, worked... I was present in the first Sangh camp. In that, there were quite a number of mahaar (untouchable) brethren. At the time of meals, some began hesitating to sit along with them. They placed their problem before Doctorji. Doctorji simply said: ‘Our practice is to sit together. We shall sit accordingly.’ All of us sat together for meals.”
What Modi has done by expressing gratitude to the sanitation workers is less of a political gesture and more of an outcome of the RSS’ ideological influence on him.