RSS doesn't encourage contrary views, says former leader

A ex RSS leader, who has not been associated with the organisation for nearly 18 years, has claimed that Sangh did not allow its cadres to express their views if they are not in tune with Hindu outfit

Nagpur, Nov 29: A former RSS leader, who has not been associated with the organisation for nearly 18 years, has claimed that Sangh did not allow its cadres to express their views if they are not in tune with the Hindutva outfit.

In his autobiography, "Life by Design", Rambhau Tupkari (80) said though he was not against RSS' policies per se, but opposes its "totalitarian approach".

Tupkari had served as the managing director of Narkesari Prakashan, publisher of RSS mouthpiece cum local Marathi daily 'Tarun Bharat'.

He had also been the chairman of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT). Tupkari, who joined the RSS in his student days, had left the organisation in 1998 "because debate and discussion on issues were not appreciated in the Hindutva organisation".

"Life by Design" was released by well-known Marathi writer and journalist Suresh Dwadashiwar at a function here recently. Tupkari also presented a copy of the book to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who was also present at the book launch.

"I was a committed RSS activist and that deprived me of a government scholarship during my student life. What went wrong with me in the RSS was never disclosed by office-bearers of the organisation.

I too never uttered a single word as to why I left RSS. However, I have written about it in my autobiography," he said.

Tupkari said he penned the book "to give a reply to the RSS for its totalitarian approach", wherein he has tried to "point out what went wrong with the then office-bearers of RSS". Dwadashiwar said, "It's regrettable that individual freedom has no meaning in any religious or intellectual-based organisation.

If anyone expresses a divergent view, there is no place for such persons in those organisations". A large numbers of RSS swayamsevaks were present in their individual capacity at the function.

PTI