First Kedarnath, now Bhiwandi: Rahul sets his sights on the RSS

Is there more to Rahul Gandhi appearing before a lower court in Bhiwandi in Mumbai despite the Supreme Court granting exemption from it than the simple fact that he was honouring a commitment he made? Given the rapid course-correction the Congress vice president has taken up in the last few weeks, the answer is yes. The case involves the RSS, the real force behind the BJP. Rahul has been accused of blaming the Hindu outfit for the death of Mahatma Gandhi at a public rally in March 2014 at Bhiwandi. Put in the political context, his appearance means he wants to keep the RSS question alive and in news. This is borne out by his remark while speaking to the local media. “We are fighting an ideological battle, the same that Gandhi ji fought. We will fight and we will win," he said. The subtle shift in his approach to the RSS question has been in the making for sometime. He has often been honest about the Congress being perceived as anti-Hindu during the 2014 general election campaign. The topic got attention even during his round of meetings with senior leaders and party candidates post elections. But he believes the perception is more due to a propaganda by the Sangh rather than their party leaders going overboard with minority appeasement. “We hope Rahul ji takes this issue seriously, otherwise all his hard work will come to nought” confides a senior leader. “The RSS knows how to use their machinery well, even Doordarshan has started doing their live coverage. We have to find an answer to them” he adds. Taking on the might of RSS may be a step in the right direction, but is perhaps the toughest challenge that Rahul faces in his new avatar. [caption id=“attachment_2234494” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Rahul Gandhi appeared in a court in Bhiwandi in the defamation case against him. PTI[/caption] The Modi government has been bending over backwards to please the Nagpur-based outfit since coming to power in May 2014. People affiliated with the organisation are slowly filling vacancies arising in most government bodies, especially those relating to Education and Culture. “For RSS it’s all about convenience, be it in politics or religion. They disappear when out of power, they were missing during our freedom struggle as well,” says Akhilesh Pratap, spokesperson for the Congress. He added: “The RSS is sticking to Ram Mandir only because they think it will get them votes, otherwise why didn’t they get it done in six years of previous NDA rule?” The challenge is huge as the RSS has been spreading its wings rapidly in the past year, more shakhas (affiliate branches) have been added to the upbeat membership drive. Compared to them, the Congress organisation remains in tatters after their worst ever defeat last year. The party has witnessed an exodus of leaders to greener pastures with the morale being low as the wait for an organisational overhaul continues. Ever since Rahul’s return after a 56-day break last month, he has been careful not to let his sights off the parent organisation of the BJP. He trekked to the holy shrine of Kedarnath when the kapaat (doors) was opened for public. His Salman Khan like insistence on " " to appear in Bhiwandi and almost reiterate the same views on RSS against Mahatma Gandhi is his way of striking back. This will pitchfork him into the centre stage of politics where regional parties are leaving no stone unturned to wean away minorities from Congress in virtually every state. So come September 30th and Rahul may be back in Bhiwandi for the next hearing, to convey the message of a leader who is not afraid to take on the RSS.