The RSS and the BJP

by A.G. Noorani

The fascist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, through its political arm, the BJP, is now at the centre of Indian politics. This poses a grave danger to Indian democracy and secularism. What was the role of the Hindutva forces in the struggle against the British? What links did Gandhiji's killer Nathuram Godse have with the RSS? How did the political arm of the RSS, the Jan Sangh, and its later incarnation, BJP, come into being? What actually happened on that fateful day of Dec. 6, 1992? What are the current agendas of the RSS? What does the elevation of the hardliner Sudarshan to the post of the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS mean? Marshalling a wealth of factual and archival detail, eminent lawyer and political commentator A.G. Noorani answers these and a host of other questions in his characteristically forthright and hard hitting style. Reprinted and updated til Feb. 2001.

Genres: Nonfiction, India, Politics

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Abdul Ghafoor Majeed Noorani, known popularly as A. G. Noorani, was a Muslim scholar, lawyer and political commentator. He practised as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India and in the Bombay High Court.

Reviews

[Naresh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

A good introduction to the symbiotic relationship between the BJP and the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and the Sangh parivar.

A. G. Noorani clearly elucidates the tactics employed by the Sangh to stay politically relevant while staying true to their core ideology.