For nearly a century, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India’s leading Hindu nationalist organisation, has wrestled with caste, a system that both defines and divides Hindu society. Through statements by its leaders, particularly its current chief, Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS has offered varied perspectives on caste, ranging from defending its historical role to advocating its end. These remarks, often carefully worded, have fuelled debates about their sincerity and impact. This article examines key statements on caste by the RSS and Mr. Bhagwat, tracing their evolution, highlighting contradictions, and addressing the sharp criticisms they have drawn.
Early Views: Caste as Cultural Bedrock
The RSS’s early stance on caste was shaped by its second leader, M.S. Golwalkar, who in Bunch of Thoughts (1966) described caste as a way to organize work in ancient Hindu society, ensuring stability. He argued its problems stemmed from outside invasions and internal errors, calling for fixing its “flaws” without abolishing it. This view, echoed in the RSS’s magazine Organiser in the 1980s, presented caste as part of Hindu culture. Critics, like Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde, argue this quietly supported upper-caste power by glorifying caste’s historical role.
In the 1980s, the RSS launched its samajik samrasta (social harmony) campaign to unite Hindu communities. Organiser articles (e.g., 1989) claimed caste was a Vedic system distorted over time and urged Hindus to overcome divisions to counter threats like missionary conversions. But these efforts focused on gestures—like eating together or opening temples to all—rather than addressing deeper issues like land rights or caste violence, leading marginalized groups to question their intent.
A Formal Gesture
In 2006, the RSS’s Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, its top decision-making body, passed a resolution calling for an end to untouchability and caste discrimination. It urged shared access to temples and public spaces, blaming caste’s rigidity on historical invasions, such as Muslim rule. The resolution, partly a response to growing Dalit political power through parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party, aimed to appear inclusive. However, critics noted it lacked concrete plans, like supporting inter-caste marriages or challenging upper-caste privileges, making it largely symbolic.
Mohan Bhagwat’s Statements: Tradition Meets Reform
Since becoming RSS chief in 2009, Mohan Bhagwat has addressed caste with a mix of traditional views and responses to modern pressures. His statements, made at RSS events or public talks, show a gradual shift from explaining caste’s past to criticizing its harm, reflecting India’s changing political landscape.
In August 2014, speaking in Pune, Mr. Bhagwat said caste was created to divide work based on skills but “turned into a tool of discrimination” (The Hindu, August 18, 2014). He called for restoring its “original harmony.” Critics, including Dalit activists, saw this as defending caste’s cultural role, ignoring its oppressive realities, while supporters viewed it as a push for reform within Hindu values.
In April 2017, at a social harmony event in Rajasthan, Mr. Bhagwat stated, “Caste was meant to make society work together, not to create inequality. Today, we must move beyond caste and treat all Hindus as one family” (Indian Express, April 3, 2017). Said during Dalit protests over events like the 2016 Una flogging, this was criticized by scholars like Christophe Jaffrelot for quietly supporting caste’s historical place without rejecting its hierarchy.
A clearer shift came in September 2018 during the RSS’s “Bharat of Tomorrow” talks in Delhi. Mr. Bhagwat said, “The Constitution doesn’t recognize caste, and neither should we. But we must face social realities and end discrimination slowly” (Hindustan Times, September 19, 2018). This nod to constitutional equality was welcomed by some but called “hypocritical” by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who pointed to the RSS’s silence on caste violence and its mostly Brahmin leaders.
In April 2023, speaking in Nagpur on Ambedkar Jayanti, Mr. Bhagwat was more direct: “The caste system wasn’t made by God but by scholars. All are equal before the Creator. We must reject caste to strengthen Hindu society” (The Times of India, April 15, 2023). This rejection of caste’s divine basis, praised by leaders like Sharad Pawar, was dismissed as empty by Dalit thinkers like Kancha Ilaiah, who noted the RSS’s support for policies like anti-conversion laws targeting lower castes.
On April 20, 2025, Mr. Bhagwat urged Hindus to “end caste differences,” pushing for shared access to “temples, wells, and cremation grounds” and calling caste a “man-made barrier, not divine” that weakens society (The Indian Express, April 21, 2025). Said during debates over reservation and opposition efforts to win Dalit-OBC votes, this call for integration was praised by BJP allies but questioned by critics for lacking policy details.
Contradictions and Mounting Criticisms
The RSS’s evolving stance on caste reveals a struggle between its traditional roots and modern India’s demands. Early statements, tied to Golwalkar’s views, appealed to Hindus who saw caste as part of tradition. Mr. Bhagwat’s recent calls to end caste reflect the need to address Dalit anger and expand the RSS-BJP’s voter base amid caste-based political shifts. But contradictions and criticisms abound.
The RSS’s focus on symbolic unity—like shared spaces or eating together—sidesteps bigger issues like economic gaps, caste violence, or inter-caste marriage. Its mostly Brahmin leadership weakens its anti-caste message, as does its support for policies like anti-conversion laws, seen as targeting Dalits and Adivasis. Critics argue Mr. Bhagwat’s words, while sounding progressive, prioritize Hindu unity over true fairness.
Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde calls the RSS’s social harmony campaign a “facade,” arguing it seeks to absorb Dalits into a Hindu fold without dismantling caste hierarchies. Political analyst Christophe Jaffrelot contends that the RSS’s rhetoric is a “strategic ploy” to neutralize Dalit political mobilization while preserving upper-caste dominance. Dalit activist Kancha Ilaiah labels Mr. Bhagwat’s statements “crocodile tears,” pointing to the RSS’s failure to address caste-based atrocities or promote Dalit leadership. Opposition leaders like Jairam Ramesh accuse the RSS of “double-speak,” noting its silence during caste violence, such as the 2018 Bhima Koregaon clashes, while preaching equality. Feminist scholar Shailaja Paik argues the RSS’s focus on temple access ignores Dalit women’s unique struggles, like sexual violence tied to caste. These critiques highlight a gap between the RSS’s words and its actions, fueling distrust among marginalized groups.
A Difficult Path
The RSS’s journey on caste reflects the challenge of aligning Hindu nationalism with India’s diverse reality. Mr. Bhagwat’s shift from defending caste’s past to calling for its end shows the group’s need to navigate a complex political landscape. But without real changes—like tackling caste privilege, diversifying leadership, or rethinking harmful policies—the RSS’s words risk ringing hollow. As India grapples with caste inequalities, the RSS’s statements will be judged not by their tone but by the actions they inspire.
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