Hosabale says Kashi, Mathura efforts are fine, but how far back to dig history

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

The second-in-command of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Dattatreya Hosabale, in comments to Kannada magazine Vikrama, a mouthpiece of the Sangh, has said that the organisation would have no objections if its members participated in efforts concerning the Krishna Janmabhoomi issue in Mathura, and the Gyanvapi mosque dispute in Varanasi.

“At that time [1984], the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), saints, and seers spoke of three temples. If a section of our swayamsevaks (volunteers) want to join forces in the case of these three temples [including the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya], then we will not stop them,” Mr. Hosabale said.

In a transcribed copy of the interview, available with The Hindu, Mr. Hosabale also then goes on to clarify what he meant. “But if we talk about all the other mosques and structures, should we start digging up 30,000 mosques and attempt to reverse history? Would we not create more hostility and resentment in society? How far back should we move forward as a society or stay stuck in the past? If we keep doing this, when will we focus on vital social transformations? What about eliminating untouchability? How do we instil values in youth? What about preserving our culture and languages?” he said. “Today, society faces problems like conversions, cow slaughter, love jihad, and many other challenges. Sangh has never said anybody should ignore or not work on these issues,” he said. 

Observers said Mr. Hosabele’s comments, which were part of an interview that included other issues as well, are meant to balance two countervailing forces at work within the Sangh universe. One force is that of drawing a line under the temple movements where, for the first time, in the 1980s, the RSS had supported the movement for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, energising its affiliated organisations, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

This was exemplified in RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments from six years ago, which came after the Ram Janmabhoomi verdict in the Supreme Court. Mr. Bhagwat had said at the time that the RSS would not get involved in any other movement of the kind, and instead focus on “work towards character building”.

The second countervailing force is of the existing Hindutva constituency that has been strengthened in recent years. The slogan during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement — “Ayodhya to kewal jhaanki hai, Mathura Kashi baaki hai” (Ayodhya is just a trailer, Kashi and Mathura are still to be) — which included the two other disputes in the same pantheon as Ayodhya, continues to appeal to the Hindutva base.

Vinod Bansal, spokesperson for the VHP, which spearheaded the Ayodhya Ram Mandir movement, however said that Mr. Hosabale’s comments were not new, and “just a clarification”.

“Along with Ayodhya, there has always been a commitment for Mathura and Kashi. In 1984, the honoured seers took anjali (sacred water) from the holy Sarayu river (in Ayodhya) and had committed to these three temples. We had asked for these three spots, which were denied. For one we put up an andolan, a movement, [and] also fought through the courts. For the other two (Mathura and Kashi) samaj bhi jaagrook hai (society is also conscious). We are observing the legal proceedings that are taking place and are confident of justice,” the VHP spokesperson said.