Caste Being Used As Tool For Political Power Play, Says RSS’s Dattatreya Hosabale

Last Updated:March 29, 2025, 18:53 IST

In an interview with Karnataka’s Vikrama Weekly magazine, he said that many who claim to follow Dr BR Ambedkar’s ideology are deeply involved in caste politics, forming parties and power groups based on caste identity

RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale. (File pic/PTI)

The Sangh includes people from all traditions, sects, and castes, but it has never adopted the customs or rituals of any particular caste or sect, said RSS Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale in an interview with Karnataka’s Vikrama Weekly magazine.

“The Shakha follows only a minimal set of practices necessary for its functioning. Caste is never a topic of discussion in the Sangh," he said. “The first lesson taught in the RSS is that we are all Hindus. The way to reduce the divisive lines of caste is by drawing a larger unifying identity, which is Hindu unity. Thus, caste has no place in the Sangh. There is a discipline in the Sangh that its workers must not be actively involved in caste-based organisations. As a result, RSS swayamsevaks (volunteers) do not hold leadership positions in any caste-based groups."

Efforts to eradicate caste through confrontation only reinforce caste divisions, he added. “In 1974, during his Vasanta Vyakhyanmala (lecture series), the third Sarsanghchalak Balasaheb Deoras stated, ‘Let caste be erased from society. Let it go more smoothly, but there is no need to lament that caste is going away.’ The rigid caste hierarchy does not allow social mobility; as Dr. BR Ambedkar described it, it is ‘a multi-storied building without a staircase’. However, within the RSS ecosystem, many inter-caste marriages have taken place, but the Sangh has never used this for publicity," Hosabale said. “Since RSS swayamsevaks deeply internalise the idea of Hindu unity, they remain above caste divisions."

The argument that caste must be preserved only to maintain diversity is not conducive to national unity, said the RSS functionary. “India’s geographical and natural diversity ensures that social diversity will always exist. It is incorrect to say that caste alone is necessary to maintain diversity. If caste remains confined to family traditions or domestic practices, it does not harm society. However, if caste is used to discriminate or determine political power, it becomes a problem for society," he said.

The Sangh has always urged that a system be put in place through society and the Constitution to eliminate this deficiency for those who have been deprived of respect, opportunity, and equality based on birth (caste), said Hosabale.

“Has the Sangh’s stance on caste influenced society? Yes, it has. While this change is not solely due to the Sangh, many individuals have worked towards this goal. With changing times, caste barriers are naturally weakening. Today, we see IAS officers, sports persons, film stars, and IT professionals choosing their life partners based on career and compatibility rather than caste. This trend is increasing, gradually shifting caste identities," he said.

Caste is being used as a tool for political power play, he argued. “Many who claim to follow the maker of the Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar’s ideology are deeply involved in caste politics, forming parties and power groups based on caste identity. Without fostering a national consciousness with the belief that ‘This is one nation, and we are all one people’, a solution cannot be found to this problem," said Hosabale.

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