By P Mohan Chandran
In a land where ancient wisdom once flourished, what led to the erosion of its indigenous ideologies? How did the Western and Leftist narratives come to dominate the intellectual landscape of India? And now, who is leading the charge to revive the pro-Bharat ethos?
India, a land of diverse cultures and rich heritage, has been a melting pot of ideas and philosophies. Yet, in the post-independence era, a significant shift occurred. The intellectual space, once brimming with indigenous thoughts, became dominated by Western and Leftist ideologies. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a prominent Indian organization, has embarked on a mission to counter this trend and reinfuse the pro-Bharat ideology back into the nation's consciousness.
The Erosion of Indigenous Thought
Post-independence, particularly after the 1960s, a gradual sidelining of indigenous thoughts and ideas took place. Books that celebrated India's cultural connect with its Hindu heritage were systematically removed from public discourse. Western dominance began to overshadow the intellectual space, promoting the notion that India was intellectually impoverished.
What caused this shift? Was it a deliberate attempt to suppress the nation's cultural identity, or a mere consequence of globalization?
RSS's Literary Movement
The RSS, recognizing the need to decolonize the Indian mind, has initiated a movement to generate nationalist content. With 21 publishing units, including six by Prajna Pravah, a specialized unit that generates nationalist content, the RSS is building a right-wing ecosystem of books.
The idea of decolonization has been discussed through various RSS programs and campaigns. Senior RSS functionaries have emphasized the need to free the space for books with nationalist content, to break the colonized mindset, and to make Indians proud of their country.
The Rise of Pro-Bharat Space
In the last two years, hundreds of books dealing with India's culture, eminence, science, history, and tradition have been published. The RSS has collaborated with like-minded senior academics, economists, scientists, and journalists to highlight India's "ancient glory and tradition."
Platforms like Hindu e-Shop have emerged, working like Amazon or Flipkart, where pro-Hindu books can be ordered and delivered. Topics range from 'ghar wapsi' to 'love jihad' to 'dharma yoga' and 'Hindus in Hindu Rashtra.'
The Impact and Challenges
The RSS's efforts have sparked curiosity on the ground. People are showing interest in understanding the RSS and the Hindu way of life. However, the challenge remains in breaking the perception that English books sold in elite markets are the epitome of intellect and knowledge.
The RSS is working diligently to build a stock of India's literature, translating works into regional languages, and even Urdu. The process might be slow, but the systematic approach is aimed at reviving the nationalism that makes Indians proud of their country.
A New Dawn or a Passing Trend?
The RSS's literary crusade is a significant step towards reinvigorating the pro-Bharat ideology. It is a movement that seeks to reclaim the intellectual space that was once the stronghold of indigenous thoughts.
But will this resurgence sustain in the face of globalization and modernization? Can the pro-Bharat ideology find its rightful place in the contemporary intellectual landscape? Or will it remain confined to a niche audience, overshadowed by the prevailing Western and Leftist narratives? The answers to these questions may shape the future of India's intellectual identity, determining whether it will embrace its roots or continue to drift away from its cultural heritage.
Do you think RSS's literary crusade will re-infuse the pro-Bharat ideology?
A. Yes, RSS is trying to re-establish our cultural connect.
B. No, RSS cannot sustain it in an era of globalization.
© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.
06082023
Comentarios