WHY THE SANGH SUPPORTS RESERVATION

The Sangh takes samarasata or social harmony among castes as an essential concept that goes beyond tokenism. That's why it has always supported quotas for the underprivileged

A S an individual, I have been associated with the RSS, ABVP and BJP for more than 40 years.

From the controversy over the renaming of Marathwada University in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (previously Aurangabad) to the vexed issue of quota for the underprivileged, from the 1982-83 movement led by Bal Thackeray against Babasaheb Ambedkar's writings in The Riddle of Rama and Krishna and the RSS's vocal opposition to that movement, I have witnessed how the Sangh leadership had adroitly handled scores of issues with a firm commitment to its total opposition to caste-based discrimination.

As per my understanding, there are at least three key aspects of the RSS's approach to castes. First, its unequivocal support to quota for the socially marginalised. Second, its emphasis on ensuring that social justice is reflected in our dayto-day conduct. And third, its approach towards smaller identities as an inseparable part of a larger identity.

However, the overarching philosophy guiding the RSS's approach to all these vexed issues associated with the caste question is that of samajik samarasata or social harmony. In the RSS scheme of things, the term adds significant value to the idea of social equality.

It is more meaningful as it connotes not just intellectual acceptance for equality and justice, but also emotional participation in the process with an emphasis on sharing and caring. Samarasata, to me, is all about emotional integration.

It is about a sense of belonging (to the entire society), about making every social group feel that the entire society needs every marginalised group and values its contribution. Samarasata is more about empathy than just sympathy.