Rahul Gandhi wouldn’t benefit from misinterpreting RSS, says scholar Walter Anderson

New Delhi (India), April 7, 2023: Expert scholar Walter K. Andersen says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may not benefit from misinterpreting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a religious organization like many in the West and India, which may affect his efforts to present himself as a Hindu and nationalist.

Andersen, known for his scholarship on contemporary Indian politics and the RSS, says the BJP and RSS complement each other rather than being rivals.

He also suggests that the RSS training system attempts to reduce or diminish the importance of caste in one’s life while acknowledging that caste remains an issue in India. Andersen explains the criticisms against the RSS for being an all-male organization and its primary unit, shakhas, not involving women.

Finally, Andersen suggests that Rahul Gandhi’s visits to temples and Congress’ increased focus on nationalism may be an attempt to showcase himself as closer to Hindu traditions and to present Congress as a viable Indian nationalist party.