Over the past few decades, the RSS has probably been the biggest victim of extensive left-liberal propaganda. For political reasons, the ideology of the RSS has always been at the radar of the self-acclaimed intellectuals of the country, some of whom have gone to the extent of blaming the RSS for the 26/ 11 terror strikes, which were carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based and sponsored terror outfit.

This is primarily the reason that much of what is documented about the world’s largest voluntary non-government organisation, largely consists of politically motivated articles deriding it. Those who have given the organisation a highly negative image, are either RSS haters or simply don’t know anything about its ideology and still try to make a judgment about it.

Now, the RSS seems set to counter decades of propaganda against it. As per latest reports, the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is going to interact with members of the foreign press later this month.

An RSS functionary has said that invitations are being extended to foreign media outlets across 70 countries barring Pakistan.

According to a Sangh functionary, “The main purpose of this meeting is to clear misconceptions about the Sangh and its ideology.” He added, “it will be an off-camera briefing by Bhagwat and will not be for reporting.” As per him, the meeting will start with opening remarks by the RSS chief followed by a question and answer session with him. The meeting which will be held at the Ambedkar International Centre is being coordinated by Sangh’s prachar vibhag (publicity department).

It must be noted that over the past several decades, influential political outfits and media houses in the country have continuously slandered the RSS and have made many outrageous remarks about it. It has been accused of promoting Hindu extremism and militancy without any cogent evidence. Several myths have been circulated by the left-liberal elite to defame it publicly and mislead the ordinary citizens of the country about its values.

Some of the most popular of such myths are outrageous allegations such as the RSS being involved in the murder of Mahatama Gandhi. This accusation has been made time and again despite the then Union Home Minister and the man behind India’s integration, Sardar Patel writing to Nehru, “I have kept myself almost in daily touch with the progress of the investigations regarding Bapu’s assassination case. All main accused have given long and detailed statements of their activities. It also clearly emerges from the statements that the RSS was not involved in it at all.”

It must be noted that in 1966, the Indira Gandhi government had formed a judicial commission headed by Justice JL Kapur to probe the assassination. As per its findings, “They (the accused) have not been proved to have been members of the RSS, nor has that organisation been shown to have had a hand in the murder.” (Volume I, page 186). It also found, “There is no evidence that the RSS as such was indulging in violent activities against Mahatma Gandhi or the top Congress leaders.” (Volume I, page 66).

Another myth which is widely circulated against the RSS is that it is ‘Islamophobic’. Those making such bizarre allegations probably don’t understand that RSS is one of the most inclusive organisations. Its Indianness and nationalistic spirit are beyond any doubt. Muslim Rashtriya Manch, a Muslim organisation was formed in 2002 at the initiative of the then RSS chief, K.S. Sudarshan only.

RSS has also been labelled a casteist, pro-Brahminical organisation. This allegation is also a mere figment of imagination coming from those who don’t understand that every single member of the RSS is treated equally, irrespective of caste or other social divisions. These are three broad sets of myths perpetrated by the liberal elites against the RSS. Based on these allegations, a powerful and influential ecosystem of left-liberals constantly makes all kinds of false allegations and accusations against the RSS.

Having realised that its time to combat such false narrative being continuously peddled against it, the RSS seems to have made up its mind to undertake a massive and much-needed outreach. The RSS has taken a laudable initiative of dispelling decades of fake propaganda against it.