Caste Census: ✓

Carry out the caste survey objectively, carefully and sensitively, with the right spirit, so that the benefits of reservation reach the deserving beneficiaries

- Ratan Sharda

"Hindava Sahodara Sarve" [All Hindus are born of the same mother (hence related to each other)]

"Hindu Na Patito Bhavet" [No Hindu can be fallen (or is untouchable)]

THESE two slogans were raised by Hindu sants (saints) and scholars at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) first Dharma Sansad in Allahabad in 1966. Several resolutions were passed unanimously at this conference and the second one in Udupi in 1969. The two declarations were endorsed by all the Shankaracharyas present at these two conferences. This was the most revolutionary call to Hindu society in hundreds of years.

The VHP was founded in 1964 in Sandipani Ashram of Swami Chinmayananda-who was one of the founders of the organisation-in the presence of Shri Guruji, the second Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sarsanghchalak.

I can say with confidence that this is the only organisation affiliated with the RSS that rose to prominence due to the direct influence and intense groundwork of Shri Guruji. He could persuade hundreds of religious heads of all the major sampradayas, sects and religions born in Bharat to come on one platform and agree to the call of treating every Hindu as a brother, a member of the same family; and eradicating the idea of untouchability. It was path-breaking.

There are many examples of how Shri Guruji discouraged organisations based on caste or customs and rituals that were outdated and those that discriminated against any section of society. He would gently chide acharyas and sants who urged him to enforce outdated rituals and practices that perpetuated casteism.