It is somewhat premature to speculate on the consequences of the Janata parliamentary board’s decision to bar party legislators and office-bearers from participating in the day-to-day activities of the RSS. It is only after the RSS pratinidhi sabha due to begin its three-day session in Nagpur today (March 21) has defined the organization’s future course of action that it will be possible to assess the possible impact of the board’s resolution. For it can be effectively implemented without once again splitting the party only if the RSS leadership, too, decides to bar its members from seeking elections and holding office in political parties, which really means the Janata, because the RSS volunteers have not joined any other political organization. In the absence of such a decision by the RSS pratinidhi sabha, the former Jana Sanghis in the Janata will not abide by the board’s resolution. They have made this much clear in the joint statement issued by Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. L.K. Advani and Mr. Nanaji Deshmukh on Wednesday. Indeed, they could not be expected to do anything else. After all, they cannot disown their lifelong association with the RSS without destroying their own credibility and giving up the support which alone gives them some political muscle. The other elements in the Janata leadership can, of course, expel them in that event. But that will lead not only to another split but to an emasculation of whatever remains of the party. To use a well worn cliche, the Janata without the erstwhile Jana Sangh will be like playing “Hamlet” without the Prince of Denmark.
As was to be expected in view of the two splits in the Janata at least ostensibly on the issue of dual membership, a euphemism for the former Jana Sangh’s continued links with the RSS, and the party’s rout in the election to the Lok Sabha last January, a debate has been taking place in the RSS leadership on its future course of action. Apparently a consensus has emerged. Else in all probability it would not have summoned a meeting of the pratinidhi sabha. And judging by the RSS chief, Balasaheb Deoras’ recent statements, it would seem that the consensus is in favour of de-emphasizing the organization’s involvement in active politics via the former Jana Sangh and emphasizing its “cultural” (read ideological) role. This is understandable not because the RSS is essentially a “cultural” organization which got drawn into active politics in connection with the JP movement, but because that policy has ended in a fiasco. While the Janata, one concrete product of the movement, has split twice and lies dispirited, Mrs. Gandhi is back in office with as big a mandate as the one she received in 1971. And constituents of the rump Janata other than the erstwhile Jana Sangh are so critical of the RSS that they do not wish to have anything to do with it. All in all, it makes little sense for the RSS to maintain any link with that party. But can a deeply ideological organization – idealized Hinduism is an ideology – keep out of politics? It is doubtful. If not, what kind of politics can serve its purpose? Revival of the Jana Sangh? Perhaps to some extent. But the limitations are clear enough. After over a quarter century the Jana Sangh’s popular base remained pretty small. The RSS leadership faces a cruel dilemma. The Nagpur meeting will show whether it can resolve it satisfactorily. But whatever the decision, it will have a more vital bearing on the future of the Janata than the party’s parliamentary board’s resolution and the former Jana Sangh’s objections to it.