Rashtra Seva Dal : What went wrong?

Rashtra Seva Dal : What went wrong?

Rashtra Sava Dal, an organization formed to inculcate the spirit of secular nationalism among the young generation, is completing its golden jubilee this year. Given the high profile names associated with it in review of what it has achieved and what it hasn’t is in order.

Founded in Pane by veteran socialist leaders S. M. Joshi, N. G. Gory and Shirubhau Limaye with the objective of countering the growing influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during the Pre-independent era, the Rashtra Seva Dal has provided many talented and dedicated per sons in various walks of life over the years. These include barristers Nath Pai, Madhu Limaye, Madhu Dandavate in the political field. Dr. Shreeram Lagoo, Niloo Phule in the theatrical and film world, P. L. Deshpande and Vasant Bapat in literature. The list goes on.

However the organization which once made its founders proud is no longer influential as it used to be.

Why?

Mr. N. G. Goray, co-founder of the organization, candidly admits that Rashtra Seva Dal has not succeeded in the task for which it was founded. “The communal organizations which are as old as the Seva Dal are gaining strength and creating division on communal lines, a fact which itself is an

indication of the failure of the Seva Dal”, he says. “Our view has been that society has to be built on the strong foundation of social and economic equality. The communal forces do not agree with us on this point.

Mr. Goray attributes the failure of the Seva Dal to the laxity among Seva Dal activists after independence. He says that many Seva Dal leaders assumed that the task of creating a secular democratic society was achieved after the country won freedom. “But this assumption was clearly

wrong as later events proved.”

Mr. Shirubhau Limaye says that the growing influence of the RSS on youth was the major factor which prompted formation of the Seva Dal. “The military discipline, parades and various other activities of the RSS were bound to impress a large number of youths, irrespective of their family or ideological background”, he says, adding that the attraction of the RSS was so much that even sons of some prominent Congress leaders attended the RSS “shakhas” for a few days.

Seva Dal activists played a prominent role during the Quit India movement and for a few years even after the independence. During this period, the organization received tremendous support from senior leaders like Jaiprakash Narayan, Achyutrao Patwardhan, Raosaheb Patwardhan and Sane Guruji. “But many Congress leaders viewed the organisation with suspicion since it was controlled by the socialists.

The Congress party had its own wing of volunteers, the Congress Seva Dal. But worked mainly to help the Congress to organize various activities, to make arrangements for rallies and meetings. It never functioned like a cadre based organization”, says Mr. Lemay.

Mr. Lemay says he was of the firm opinion that the Sava Dale showed work as a cadre-based organization, devoted to its task on a long-term basis. He also recalls as to how some senior Congressmen, taking the principle of “shims” to an extreme end, objected to militant postures and commands like “Sava ham!” (Attention!) As the Sava Dahl’s functions.

After reviewing the achievements and failures of the organisation. Rashtra Seva Dal leaders have now decided to revamp the organisation during its current golden jubilee celebrations. Various activities have been planned to celebrate the golden jubilee in a befitting manner. A rally is to be organized

in Pune in November this year in which a large number of persons associated with the Seva Dal are expressed to participate. The organization has also decided to fulfil the dream of the veteran socialist

leader, late S. M. Joshi, to appoint full-time activists in Maharashtra and rest parts of the country to propagate secular nationalism. For this purpose the Seva Dal has formed a fund-raising committee under the leadership of former minister Mr. Bhai Vaidya.