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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh - 100 Years

    • The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a Hindu nationalist volunteer organisation founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Dr. K.B. Hedgewar in response to perceived threats to Hindu culture and society, particularly during British colonial rule. 
    • It aims to promote the idea of Hindutva, which emphasises Hindu cultural and national identity. 
  • Pre-Independence Era: 
    • The organization played a significant role in social and cultural mobilisation among Hindus. It focused on community service, education, and the promotion of Hindu values. 
  • Post-Independence:  
    • After India''s independence in 1947, the RSS faced scrutiny, especially after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse in 1948. The organisation was banned for a short period but was later reinstated. 
  • Ideology: 
    • The central ideology of the RSS, articulated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, promotes the idea that India is fundamentally a Hindu nation. 
    • The RSS emphasises the importance of Indian culture and heritage, aiming to unite people under a common national identity. 
    • The organization engages in various social service activities, including education, health care, and disaster relief, promoting the idea of "Seva" (service) among its members. 
  • Contribution to Freedom Struggle:  
    • RSS did not participate directly in the Indian independence movement, it contributed to the socio-political awakening of Hindus. 
  • History of Ban of RSS: 
    • 1948: Banned after Gandhi''s assassination; lifted in 1949 after pledging loyalty to the Constitution. 
    • 1966: Government employees banned from joining RSS, reiterated in 1970 and 1980. 
    • 1975-1977: Banned during Indira Gandhi''s Emergency; lifted in 1977. 
    • 1992: Banned post-Babri Masjid demolition, lifted in 1993 after a commission deemed the ban unjustified. 
  • Structure and Functioning:  
    • The RSS operates through a network of shakhas (branches) across India and abroad, focusing on physical, intellectual, and cultural training. 
    • It has inspired many other organizations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). 
  • Political Influence: It is considered the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been a major political force in India since the 1990s. 

 

Rules on Government Employees Joining RSS

  • DoPT’s Directive: 
    • On 9th July 2024, the DoPT announced the removal of references to the RSS from Official Memorandums (OM) issued in 1966, 1970, and 1980.  
    • The RSS is no longer considered a "political" organisation, allowing central government employees to participate in its activities without penalties under Rule 5(1) of the Conduct Rules.  
      • However, this reclassification does not apply to the Jamaat-e-Islami, which remains a political organisation, prohibiting government officials from engaging in its activities. 
      • Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 prohibits government servants from being associated with political parties or engaging in political activities. 
  • Official Memorandums (OM) of 1966, 1970, and 1980: 
    • OM of 1966: On 30th November 1966, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a circular clarifying its stance on government employees'' involvement with the RSS and Jamaat-e-Islami, labelling participation in these organisations as contrary to government policy.  
      • The circular referenced Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and stated that those involved with these groups could face disciplinary action.  
      • A similar rule is present in the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, applicable to IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service officers. 
    • OM of 1970: On 25th July 1970, the MHA stressed that government employees should face disciplinary action for violating the instructions issued on 30th November 1966. 
      • During the Emergency (1975 to 1977) government issued directives for action against members of various groups, including the RSS, Jamaat-e-Islami, Ananda Marg, and CPI-ML, whose activities were prohibited at that time. 
    • OM of 1980: On 28th October 1980, government issued a directive emphasising the importance of maintaining a secular perspective among government employees and highlighted the critical need to eliminate communal sentiments and biases. 
  • Position Before 1966: 
    • Prior to 1966, government employees in India were governed by the Government Servants’ Conduct Rules of 1949, which explicitly prohibited participation in political activities.  
    • This prohibition was reiterated in Rule 23 of the 1949 rules, aligning with Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. 
  • Penalty for Violations of Rules: 
    • Violations of these rules (Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968) can lead to serious consequences, including dismissal from service.  
    • Both rules state that if there''s any uncertainty about a party''s political involvement or an activity''s compliance, the government''s decision is final. 

Jamaat-e-Islami 

  • It is a socio-religious and political organization that was founded in 1941 in British India by Abul A''la Maududi.  
  • It aims to promote Islamic values and implement Islamic principles in society and governance.  
  • It advocates for the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. 
  • The Government of India officially banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir in March 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). 

Ananda Marg

  • It was founded by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar in 1955, is a socio-spiritual organisation known for its Progressive Utilisation Theory (Prout).  
    • Prout is a socioeconomic alternative model that promotes the welfare and development of every person, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  
  • It gained popularity in the 1960s, leading to conflicts with the West Bengal government. Key events include the 1975 assassination of railway minister L N Mishra, for which four members were convicted, and Anandamurti''s 1971 arrest for allegedly ordering a disciple''s murder.  
  • It was banned during the Emergency (1975-1977).  

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 - Question

Consider the following pairs :

Party

Its Leader

1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

2. Socialist Party

C. Rajagopalachari

3. Congress for Democracy

Jagjivan Ram

4. Swatantra Party

Acharya Narendra Dev

How many of the above are correctly matched? 

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer (b)

  •  Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded Bharatiya Jana Sangh on 21st Oct. 1951 at Delhi and he became its first President. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) was a right-wing political party in India founded in 1951 by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. It later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Here are concise notes on the Bharatiya Jana Sangh:

Formation and Founder

  • Founded on 21 October 1951 in Delhi.
  • Founder: Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, a prominent nationalist leader.
  • Emerged as a political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Ideology

  • Advocated Hindutva and Hindu nationalism.
  • Promoted Integral Humanism, a philosophy developed by Deendayal Upadhyaya.
  • Stood for national conservatism and economic nationalism.

Political Journey

  • Participated in the 1951–52 general elections, winning 3 seats in Parliament.
  • Opposed special status for Jammu & Kashmir; Mukherjee died in custody during a protest against it.
  • Gained traction in the 1960s and 70s, especially among urban middle-class voters.

Merger and Legacy

  • Dissolved in 1977, merged with other parties to form the Janata Party.
  • After internal conflicts, former BJS members formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, which became a major national party.
  •  C. Rajagopalachari parted ways with the Congress in 1957 after being disillusioned by the path it was taking. He founded the Swatantra Party in 1959, which favoured classical liberal principles and free enterprise. Hence, Pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
  • Babu Jagjivan Ram resigned from the Cabinet and the Congress Party on 2 February 1977. He formed his own party, ‘Congress for Democracy’ (CFD) on 5 February 1977. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
  •  Acharya Narendra Dev was instrumental in the establishment of the Congress Socialist Party in 1934 as a radical faction working within the Indian National Congress. Hence, Pair 4 is incorrectly matched.
  • The Congress Socialist Party under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan and Acharya Narendra Dev played a major role in the Quit India Movement (1942).
  • Hence Only Two is Correct. 

Who was Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee?

  • Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was born in a Bengali Brahmin family on the 6th July, 1901, in Calcutta.
  • He was an Indian politician, barrister, and academician who served as the Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru''s cabinet.
  • At the age of 33, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee became the youngest vice-chancellor of Calcutta University in 1934.
  • During His term as Vice-Chancellor, Rabindranath Tagore delivered the university convocation address in Bengali for the first time, and the Indian vernacular was introduced as a subject for the highest examination.
  • He demanded the partition of Bengal in 1946 to prevent the inclusion of its Hindu-majority areas in a Muslim-dominated East Pakistan.
  • He also opposed a failed bid for a united but independent Bengal made in 1947 by Sarat Bose, the brother of Subhas Chandra Bose, and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, a Bengali Muslim politician.
  • He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the predecessor of the modern-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
  • In 1953, to protest against the special status given to Kashmir he tried to enter Kashmir without seeking permission and was arrested. He died in mysterious circumstances during detention.


POSTED ON 15-11-2025 BY ADMIN
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