RSS claiming to be a social and cultural organisation should have taken greater pains to demonstrate that they did not seek a political role. Patronising a press that takes sides in the sordid politics of power, involvement in youth bodies that interact with political parties; participating in trade union rivalries such as the one which recently brought enormous misery to the people of Delhi by callously cutting the water supply - these do not help an organisation (RSS) to establish its apolitical credentials.

It is possible that some people genuinely feel apprehensive about the RSS. A certain onus accordingly devolved on the RSS, an onus that has not been discharged effectively by the RSS. Its repudiation of the theocratic form of the state was welcome, yet the question could legitimately be asked: Why does it not open its door to non-Hindus? Recent statements of the RSS chief Deoras, indicate that non-Hindus are being encouraged to join the organisation. A natural corollary of this process would be clear enunciation by the RSS that by Hindu Rashtra, it means the Indian nation which includes non-Hindus as equal members. (Source: The New Age, 20-26 February, 2000)