India is about to complete its 21-day national lockdown and there is a high possibility that the Narendra Modi government will extend it, especially considering the continued rise in Covid-19 cases. Many states have requested for the lockdown to be extended.
The lockdown has tested our state apparatus and its outreach to the fullest. Be it in ensuring undisrupted supply of essential goods and services, handling the migrants’ crisis or responding to the increasing load on our medical infrastructure.
If the lockdown is extended, the apparatus would be further put to test and most definitely require additional support, especially from social support groups.
The most difficult aspects of the lockdown are its effective enforcement and reaching out to the poor, needy and those who have no back up of supplies. It is here that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other social organisations can play a crucial role.
If other volunteer organisations like the Congress Seva Dal, members of political parties and other non-governmental institutions could emulate the RSS, the task of the government would become much easier and simpler in dealing with the pandemic, which is nothing short of a war.
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Volunteers on the job
The intensity of the dreaded coronavirus was not something that the government and the people were prepared for. There is no rule book to guide because the present epidemic is unprecedented and its sudden onslaught is widespread. But as in the past, the volunteers of the RSS have organised mass relief camps almost all over the country.
As is its wont the RSS is not carrying out any elaborate publicity outreach to tom-tom its activities during the crisis. But the well-meaning public and the multiple social media platforms are highlighting the good work being carried on tirelessly by the volunteers of the RSS with the help of local authorities.
The RSS does not conduct regular training on organising relief camps. Yet there are innumerable precedents of RSS volunteers getting active in relief work within a short span of time. A major reason behind this voluntary response is that the basic template of the RSS is to inculcate self-imposed discipline, create a feeling of emotional belonging with society, give an egalitarian outlook and a sense of unity, camaraderie and social responsibility.
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Prompt response
As soon as the news of the killer virus emanating from Wuhan reached the corridors of power in Delhi, the RSS decided to cancel its crucial annual meeting. All units in the country were told to be prepared for the series of announcements to be made by the Modi government and also extend complete cooperation to the central and state government authorities.
Given the close-knit structure of the organisation and its commendable capabilities in mobilising highly dedicated team of volunteers within the shortest possible time, it was not difficult for the RSS to swing into action even before the 21-day lockdown was announced.
Many social organisations working in urban centres as well as tribal and rural areas, and institutions associated with the RSS also pooled their cadre and resources together, making every unit in cities as well as rural areas totally self-sufficient.
As was in the past, this time too, the experience of the RSS at all levels was on expected lines. The extent of trust that people reposed in the organisation and the ease and confidence with which the local authorities readily extended support was felt at every stage.
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Shakhas suspended
It is common knowledge that the RSS very rarely suspends its daily activity called the shakha, the hour-long gathering that has been the fountain of its strength since its formation in 1925. Shakhas were suspended only once after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi for about 13 days. During the infamous Emergency the daily gathering was not possible because the organisation was banned. But the gatherings continued in some form or the other, like meeting in temples or at public places.
RSS holds as many as thirty training camps all over the country with more than a lakh of volunteers participating in them. These camps too have been cancelled this year in keeping with the instructions of the government’s directive of social distancing.
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Frontline workers need to be careful
The volunteers engaged in relief work too need to practise caution as there have been many incidents where frontline workers, including doctors and para-medical staff, have contracted the coronavirus while performing their duties.
With acute shortage of testing kits, there are reports of random tests being carried out. Tests are also being conducted on persons with recent travel history.
In such a situation it will be difficult to ensure the safety of these volunteers as they too come in contact with a large number of people. Keeping in mind the dangers of contamination all social organisations will have to exercise necessary precautions and provide safety net to such volunteers.
The author is a member of the National Executive Committee of the BJP and former editor of Organiser. Views are personal.
Mr chari need to read law and constitution. There is nothing called extra constitutional and beyond law.
If any govt is not capable of fulfilling its valid legal and constitutional obligations then the govt is illegal and cannot be on seat for single second. Let Mr chari advise bjp govt to express this inability and leave office.
Only then rss can function.
It is better to use NCC Candidates for the relief work than RSS , as NCC candidates are secular and it is the youth wing of Armed Forces hence more reliable and people will have trust.
Thanks
At least a news handler praised RSS
How much help d RSS extended to those whose kin were killed n house burnt in d anti-Muslim riots in northeast Delhi?
The RSS men in Hosiarpur played spoilsport by defaming n boycotting Gujjar Muslims, making announcements not to allow d Gujjars sell their milk, which is their only source of income. Many Gujjars were beaten n chased away. No sign of RSS for their rescue coz d culprits were amongst d RSS cadres. Investigation to pinpoint is on.
Well said! RSS are heartless people – – a trait which ALL FANATICS HAVE, whether Hindu or Muslim or of whatever religion. There is no place for such elements in a civilized world where co-existence is the essential creed.
Namaste Sir we are distributing food through our temple. A lot of HINDUS are helping out people of all religious beliefs. Sir with able guidance of RSS thoughts people are working on ground. Sir it is noteworthy to see no leftists organizations are involved in such activities. The left organisations and people working in “rent a journalist” occupation only protest and as such we should also project how they survive on common people miseries without any social work. Thanks Sir
This is the time for the RSS to win hearts. By acting ground level missionaries and helping the needist of the needy. I wonder if it’s in them to do it across religions. Just as terrorism has no religion, compassion too has no religion. But I’m talking of God’s compassion. It is for the RSS to decide if theirs will resemble God’s or Modi-Shah’s.