The non-political organisation was started by Dr. Hedgewar Keshav Rao in 1925. Its headquarters are at Nagpur, Prof. K.S. Sudarshan is its present chief. It aims at strengthening the Hindus physically, intellectually and morally and also at reviving Hindu culture. It was banned after the proclamation of the Emergency on account of its communal activities.
The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh was very much in the focus both on account of its pronounced views on Hinduism and also being the parent organisation of the Jana Sangh. The RSS has publicly dissociated itself from the so- called concept of Hindu Rashtra. The RSS cadres were actively associated with VHP, in the latter’s bid to construct the temple at Ayodhya.
The RSS and the Bajrang Dal played a dominant role in the demolition of the mosque on Dec. 6, ’92. Late Baba Saheb Deoras passed on the baton to ‘Rajju Bhaiya (Prof. Rajendra Singh) in early 1994. At present it is headed by K.S. Sudershan. Most of the senior leaders of BJP were earlier members of RSS; they imbibed discipline and spirit of nationalism, while being members of RSS.
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Most of them would not at any cost sever their links with their parent organisation. Decline in the BJP’s fortunes in 2004 is being attributed to its abandoning the cause of Hindutva, RSS would like the BJP to espouse the Hindu cause and win back its base. Both Advani and Atal Behari Vajpayee remain dedicated to the RSS and attended is founder’s day.
Mohan Rao Bhagwat is the current Sarvsangh Chalak of RSS. During the crisis which hit BJP in the aftermath of the publication of Jaswant Singh’s book, RSS now appears in the driver seat of BJP. The BJP is now practically infiltrated by the cadres of the RSS, the general secretary of the BJP and also other important office bearers have been products of RSS.
In September 09, Advani was given counsel by Mohan Rao Bhagwat to “oversee the transition process to the youth”; in other words, the RSS is providing an honourable exit to Advani, There is a possibility of Advani becoming NDA Chairman, on the lines of Sonia Gandhi having been extended the position of UPA Chairperson. Nitin Gadkari, a part of Mohan Bhagwat has been appointed as BJP President in Dec. 2009.