Beyond Mere Symbolism
   Date :24-Sep-2022

Symbolism 
 
 
 
New Delhi,
 
Taking forward his outreach to the Muslim community, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, on Thursday, visited a mosque and a madarsa here and held discussions with the chief of All India Imam Organisation who called him “Rashtra Pita” and “Rashtra Rishi”
The RSS Sarasanghachalak went to a mosque in central Delhi’s Kasturba Gandhi Marg and followed it up with a visit to the Madarsa Tajweedul Quran in Azadpur in north Delhi. All India Imam Organisation chief Umer Ahmed Ilyasi used the “Rashtra Pita” description for Bhagwat while talking to the children at the Madarsa. ...
THE importance of this development cannot be judged by looking at it through political glasses, though most will be tempted to do so. The meaning of the visit of Dr. Mohan Bhagwat to a mosque and to a madarsa in Delhi has to be understood from the point of view of the process of assimilation that is so essential to help the larger society to evolve in a truly secular manner. This effort has nothing to do with cheap politics, and has everything to do with the Indian polity beyond narrow fragments.
What Dr. Mohan Bhagwat is seeking to achieve is a better understanding among communities. Though many of his statements have been grossly misinterpreted by many time and again, Dr. Bhagwat has not given up his effort -- which appears to start having some positive impact on the intended constituencies. This is a good and welcome sign in the direction of better social ambiance in India beyond politics.
There is no need to build a hype -- negative or positive -- about the two positive epithets Imam Ilyasi used for Dr. Bhagwat. After an extended interaction with Dr. Bhagwat, he felt that the RSS chief was talking sense that appealed to his conscience. The exchange led him to a feeling that the DNA of all Indians is the same, though methods of worship are different. This is exactly what Dr. Bhagwat had said some time ago.
True, when Dr. Bhagwat talked of the ‘same DNA’, there was a social outrage from almost all sections of the larger Indian society. That was possibly because some understood the term DNA from genetic angle, while some others looked at it from the cultural angle. But Dr. Bhagwat’s purpose was not to use the term from the angle of genetic biology. He wanted possibly to refer to common cultural and historical background.
Be that as it may, what is of importance is Dr. Bhagwat’s willingness to extend his outreach to mosques and madarsas. He is seeking a dialogue -- which is the core of a democratic existence -- in sharp contrast with the Sar Tan Se Juda model, in sharp contrast with the political hype that has distorted the country’s secular discourse. Beyond politics, Dr. Bhagwat is seeking dialogue with different communities, Muslim community in particular.
Dr. Bhagwat’s visit to the mosque and the madarsa should also not be considered only as a physical action. Its metaphor can be understood when we realise that democracy is quintessentially a matter of comprehensive, multi-dimensional and non-partisan dialogue. Imam Ilyasi appears to have understood the purpose and also the process.
It must be stated here that the RSS has been engaged silently in this process of larger social assimilation for the past couple of decades. It has been able to open many bridgeheads across social chasms. Dr. Mohan Bhagwat is taking forward that effort with his fresh social outreach programme aimed at establishing newer bridgeheads with the Muslim community.
The task is certainly difficult, but not in the realm of impossibility. A slow, patient outreach will certainly have its effect in the long term. It is unfortunate that India’s Muslim discourse is often dictated by extreme thinking by some elements -- for whom moderation is of no importance. But it is also equally essential to start countering that cantankerous discourse with offering better understanding of the conflicting and contradicting issues.
That is what Dr. Bhagwat appears to be doing. Those who understand the importance of the position of chief of the RSS will certainly realise how Dr. Bhagwat is leading a great and challenging social cause from the front, by example. For, from multiple angles, it is not a mean event that the RSS chief goes to a mosque and a madarsa. To do that requires great confidence in self and great faith in the cause -- plus great trust on the other side’s goodwill. All these things are visible in the two visits Dr. Bhagwat paid.
The power of this happening is immense. It is not just a symbolism; it is an actual and practical attempt to break through social barriers and establish connect. There is every reason to believe that Dr. Mohan Bhagwat’s initiative will have its effect in the short and the long term. He is conducting himself like a rishi (sage) and pita (father) -- who breaks the barrier first.