Controversy and media attention adversely impacted the Ghar Wapsi campaign: This was the refrain when Business Standard spoke to a few senior leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). However, the organisation will continue with the campaign — away from the media glare.

Strict directions have been issued to functionaries not to talk to the media on controversial issues such as Ghar Wapsi, which would embarrass the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). From now on, only ‘authorised’ leaders will talk to the media, and that too only after getting permission from senior leaders.

According to a senior Sangh leader, state and district functionaries of the RSS were caught unawares about the Ghar Wapsi campaign in Agra, which triggered a series of ‘re-conversion’ events across the country. The Sangh feels that the “overzealous elements” in Parivar organisations have done a huge “disservice to the movement” by attracting unwarrented media attention. “The Sangh believes in need-based publicity. Sometimes over-enthusiastic workers go overboard without thinking about the consequences. The message has been sent across the Parivar not to make any controversial statements or criticise the government,” said a senior Sangh leader on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

However, another senior associated with the Ghar Wapsi drive thinks the controversy have had a positive impact as well. According to him, the controversy had helped highlight the issue of conversion. While he said there “there is no question of abandoning the campaign”, excessive media coverage could be “counterproductive”. He expressed happiness over the handling of the conversion issue by the BJP. According to him, leaders such as Rajeshwar Singh have been asked to ‘lie low’ to send across a message that the Sangh does not tolerate indiscipline.

Other Parivar outfits such as Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch have been told to raise issues publicly only when essential and only when all “other avenues” are exhausted. “The Sarsanghchalak (Mohanrao Bhagwat) had conveyed this in as many words to these organisations. On at least two occasions, BMS was restrained from participating in anti-government protests with other trade unions.”



According to another RSS leader, Bhagwat and Modi share a ‘rare chemistry’ and the both interact with each other on a weekly basis. “The Sarsanghchalak understands the compulsions of running a government. At one function, Modiji publicly said Mohanji’s father loves him more than even the latter,” he said. Modi had written about Bhagwat’s father in his book Jyotipunj.

He said the Sangh would like the BJP to fill vacancies with those who have a good working equation with the present leadership. Shiv Prakash, who is likely to replace Ram Lal as the BJP’s organising secretary, has a good equation with BJP chief Amit Shah. “The Sangh does not want a ‘strong’ person to replace Ram Lal, as it might trigger ego clashes,” he said.