Some friends have repeatedly complained that the RSS is trying to capture leadership in the government. The RSS like other political parties, is free to influence politics and is doing that too. My only objection is that the RSS people are trying to influence politics with the camouflage of being a cultural organisation.

I have advised the leaders of the RSS to merge with other like-minded organisations or the Sangh should get affiliated to the Janata Party. They however refuse to accept my views in the belief that they have a separate cultural identity and they have nothing to do with politics.

Even now I feel that the RSS should merge into the organisation supporting the Janata Party. But if they are determined to retaining their separate identity I would again say that they should open their doors to non-Hindus like Muslims and Christians.

I have always condemned the Hindu Rashtravad of RSS, because it is dangerous ideology and is contradictory to our ideology of composite Indian nation. In a democracy every organisation has a right to propagate its philosophy and ideology. That is the essence of democracy. And yet when it intends to establish its hold on politics we have to be watchful that its philosophy or ideology does not undermine the basic philosophy of nationalism.

I have no objection to the RSS being affiliated to the Janata Party but it will have to change its Hindu face and become fully secular. If it does not do that it should withdraw from politics and sever all connection with every constituent of the Janata Party. (Source: The New Age, 20-26 February, 2000)