I Could Not Be Hindu : The Story of a Dalit in the RSS

by Bhanwar Meghwanshi, Nivedita Menon (Translator)

In 1987, as the Ramjanmabhoomi movement gathers momentum, a thirteen-year-old from a village in Rajasthan joins the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Despite his untouchable status, he quickly rises to the post of karyavah. Ahead of the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, he becomes the district office chief of Bhilwara. He hates Muslims with a passion without having met one. He joins thousands of karsevaks to Ayodhya. He mocks Mulla-Yam Singh. He participates in riots. He goes to jail. He finds Hindutva intoxicating. He is ready to die for the Hindu Rashtra.

And yet he remains a lesser Hindu. He turns into a critic of the Sangh, becomes an Ambedkarite and makes it his life’s mission to expose the hypocrisies of Hindutva.

In this explosive memoir, translated by Nivedita Menon from the Hindi, Bhanwar Meghwanshi tells us what it meant to be an untouchable in the RSS. And what it means to become Dalit.

Genres: Nonfiction, India, Politics, Biography, Indian Literature, Memoir, Religion

240 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Born in 1975, Bhanwar Meghwanshi joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at the age of thirteen. Since leaving the RSS in 1991, he has been an activist and a journalist chronicling the Dalit movement. He divides his time between overseeing the Ambedkar Bhavan in Sirdiyas and his political work that takes him across the country. Main ek swayamsevak tha (2019) is his first book.

Reviews

[Udhyhakumar Sridhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is a good one to read .It talks many things and definitely it creates a awareness. We can feel the pain and anger in his words. The point where his ideology changes and he want to know who was he is the beautiful part of the book. A journey from a sanghi to Ambedkarate is fantastic and it is very difficult too. I won't say it is a unputable book some chapters make me tired,but definitely a thought provoking one. Give it a read and open ur eyes if you aren't.

[Sumallya Mukhopadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Could Not be Hindu, Bhanwar Meghwanshi
Bhanwar Meghwanshi’s memoir, translated in English by Nivedita Menon, asks many questions. According to me, the most important question of the book is—“in its ninety-plus years of existence, has the RSS launched a single struggle against caste and untouchability?” (p. 191).
The idea of the Hindu Rashtra has tightened its grip on the political imagination of Hindus in India. They assert that India is a Hindu majority state and, hence, it should be a declared Hindu Rashtra rather than a loosely constructed secular nation. RSS-VHP-BJP, backed by their multifarious wings, are the leading characters in this play to form the Hindu Rashtra. Can they answer the simple question put forward by Meghwanshi?
Meghwanshi, who joined the RSS at the age of 13 and worked as a karsevak in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, knows that the Hindu Right will not be able to answer the question. In 1925, RSS itself was formed to counter the growing assertion of Dalits in Maharashtra. Since then, it has spread its branches to cover the various corners of the Hindu society, but it refuses to address questions on caste discrimination and oppression. Through the quasi-military organisation called RSS, the upper-caste attempts to hold on its dominance among Hindus. The upper-caste leaders of RSS train lower-caste, Dalits and Adivasis in their sakhas and keep them as foot soldiers. They are not promoted in the organisational structure of the RSS after a certain point. Meghwanshi, who wanted to be a prachalak, was denied a promotion because of his lower-caste status. He was asked to see the “bigger picture” where if someone asked his name and his caste to realise that the pracharak hailed from “a marginalised community”, his attitude towards the RSS might immediately “change” (p. 64-65). Such is the hypocrisy of RSS! It talks of equality among Hindus, but in practice, it exhibits casteist hierarchy.
In its training centres, the RSS militarises the youth, following Savarkar’s (in)famous adage “militarisation of Hinduism & the Hinduisation of the military.” RSS terms it self-defense training. In reality, it trains the youth to conduct riots against Muslims. It gradually brainwashes the youth through propaganda. It rejects scientific temper to promote religious orthodoxies. RSS, as an organisation, has no place for women. For women, it has a different organisation that is named Rashtriya Sevika Samiti. While Swayamsevak denotes autonomous volunteering, sevika evokes a subservient position, one who merely serves others. Meghwanshi could see through the irrationality and hypocrisy, and he left RSS. In the course of time, he embraced the ideals of Ambedkar and Kabir, Phule and Periyar. His struggle against the RSS took him to various places where he supported his Dalit sisters and brothers to claim what was rightfully theirs. He also joined the MKSS. He remains steadfast in his fight against communalism, oppression and discrimination. Lal Selam & Jai Bhim to him!

[Appu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does the emancipation of Dalits lie in seeking accommodation within the larger Hindu community or does it lie in asserting their identity as an oppressed minority? Gandhi and Ambedkar debated this question nearly a hundred years ago. The debate still continues.

Bhanwar Meghawanshi, a Dalit from Bhilwara district of Rajasthan joins the RSS in his teens and gets arrested for taking part in 'karseva' to bring down the disputed mosque at Ayodhya. Along the way he realizes that there are glass ceilings that stand in the way of his progress in the organization. He is gently dissuaded from his ambition to become a 'pracharak' . He faces caste discrimination and hate. Meghwamsi becomes convinced that the RSS, far from being an instrument of social change, is a tool for the perpetuation of upper caste domination in a changing India.

Meghawamsi leaves the RSS for good and begins a quest for truth and meaning that takes him to Ambedkarism and Dalit pride.

This story is told in simple lucid prose. The translator has done an excellent job in retaining the earthy flavour of the original Hindi version. In its power and impact this book reminded me of some of the classic slave narratives of American blacks such as Up From Slavery by Booker Washington and Frederick Douglas' Autobiography. Meghawamsi's book deserves to be widely read not just for its expose of RSS but also as a remarkable testament of a man who has the courage to pursue truth unmindful of consequences.

[Rural Soul · Rating 4 out of 5]

His activism is "untouchable". I was searching for Sheoraj Singh Bechain Sahb's autobiography when I found Meghwanshi's book. What I love about India is that it is excessively political country though same political activism dangerously begets communalism.
it's another feather in my cap when it comes to Dalit autobiographies.

[Sita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bhanwar Meghwanshi was an RSS karsevak in his youth. The narrative of the book follows his journey from being a karsevak to actively organising against the RSS. The first few chapters reflect the mindset of a Sanghi youth - the slow brainwashing, the rejection of a scientific temper, the hatred towards muslims, and a mythology that pins the caste system on the "invading forces," i.e., the Mughals and the British rather than Manu. He writes about feeling as though it is his divine duty to build a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and he talks about frightening the Muslim travellers in a train as him and his fellow "footsoldiers" travelled in 1990 to destroy the Babri Masjid, only to be stopped by Mulayam Singh's government.

Slowly as he recognises that there is no place for a Dalit with dignity in the Sangh - which promises a Pan-Hindu ideology but can never get past the Janeudhari that it is built on, you can see the shift in his narrative, which becomes more disturbed and questioning. Must read for those who wants to keep their eyes open while fascists rule the country.

[Nagarajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this for making a presentation on Hindutva Politics. Nothing short of a big real-life adventure and heroic play by Bhanwar Meghwanshi. His life in RSS, personal insults what he faced in RSS camp, transformation from personal revenge to social transformation.

This is a brilliant work, a must-read for Secularists, activists, and anyone who is interested in preserving the social fabric of this country. Read to find for yourself

[Akshay Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a dalit writer and rights warrior. One of the first books I have read about the organization of RSS and how deep rooted it is. The duplicity of RSS, in promoting equality in name, and organizing casteist demonstrations, is shown by repeated examples. The fact that the person grew up in a RSS environment lends credibility to his account. Highly recommended.

[Naresh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal memoir. Bhanwar Meghwanshi gives me hope that Dalit-Bahujan consciousness will eventually rise above the brahminical myth that chains them to the Sangh as their footsoldiers, and will set them towards the path of political revolution.

[Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read.

Someday this should be taught in college level arts courses. A very timely and necessary read. Only when we study our mistakes as a society can we hope to correct them someday.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful and important story, and surprisingly well written for a translated book (generally find language awkward, esp in translations from Indian languages)

Vivid depiction of many of the central questions animating Indian caste politics since Ambedkar and Gandhi's days: Can the emancipation of Dalits even happen from within Hindu society? Does the Hindutva project necessarily need to end caste inequalities for it to succeed politically? If yes, can the RSS and the broader Sangh Parivar end/reduce caste bigotry at least in their organizations given how the rest of society has struggled?

Overall, curious to see if we will see a Dalit Sarsanghcalak in our lifetimes

[Jubair Sayeed Linas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding.

The true face of RSS & BJP has shown in this book. Every Indian and the South Asians should read this and understand the communal effect on society. They are not protect hindus, they are the power hungry who can drink cow urine but not the drink water from dalits. They use dalits as a force against muslims but not respect them as a human. Not a single leaders died in any circumstances. The Dalits should acknowledge the RSS fact and stay away from them. RSS-BJP use you and then they opposed to enter your own temple. They are not you friends. They are enemy of all humans.

Inquilab Zindabad

[gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meghwanshi is a fierce and fearless social justice warrior. And I don't mean social justice warrior as it used these days - to praise arm chair activists who are often dumbly privileged and are just co-opting the term because it's cool. No. Meghwanshi is a true embodiment of Ambedkar in modern times.

I appreciated reading about his journey from Sanghi to Dalit activist. There's a lot I did not know about the RSS or about the Dalit struggle and this book opened my eyes.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential book for those trying to understand India today. From footsoldier of the RSS to a tireless campaigner against Hindu fascism, Bhanwar tells us his story with a gripping clarity and immediacy, conveyed well in this translation. He exposes the intricate, robust militia and indoctrination network that underpins the Sangh, and how it offers no real justice to lower castes, tribals and women.

[Asbah Siddique · Rating 5 out of 5]

मार्मिक प्रसंगो से भरपूर एक रोचक पुस्तक राष्ट्रवादी के लिए एक ज़रूरी पढ़ंत

[Vaibhav Vijay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is the link between truth and propaganda!

[Bagath Manish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I'm a 15 year old kid who lives in south India. I felt the necessity to read this masterpiece and it left me stunned. Written by bhanwar megwanshi, This Book is nothing short of a revelling , revolutionary tale on how to not be entrapped in the rss illusion or duplicity . The non linear narrative which spans several decades was explained in the most beautiful, efficient and the most appealing way . Spanning from 'the babri masjid demolition' to the conspiracy theory 'love jihad' , this book is a sharp critique of the bhakts and the hindutva politics . As tara ram gautham has rightly said , this book is indeed a manual on how to escape the rss duplicity , a manual especially meant for the young poisoned minds and the older minds.This book is written so explicity, that it creates such a impact on anyone who reads it , such strong , brave words and sentences by this selfless man. The bhakts are obviously gonna fear for more authors coming like this , writing so bravely and exposing their downright hypocrisy and the hypocrites of the sangh and its members . The rss are obviously gonna emerge more stronger , more cruel in the future and more authors like meghwanshi should come , so that people would escape from this madness , fanaticism. Bhanwar ji basically by this book inspires all of us to step up and to offer a rebellious tone to the injustice showed to the thousands of people over there by any form in which we can and to offer our form of resistance , so as to offer a stern mean of obstacle on the approaching fascism and the brahminic rule / superiority in india in the future .What seems to us just as a dystopian future in leila (tv show) actually is a grim reality that we are going to soon face. We are yet to face that situation which is going to be worse than anything , even worse than hitler's rule . Bhanwar ji explicitly , without any signs of fear , says and demonstrates to us how a great coward this bhakts in general are and exposes to us , how a cowardly organisation the rss generally is,
Spanning From The Babri Masjid Demolition To The Qualandra Mosque Demolition And Godhra Incident , Bhanwar Meghwanshi Shows Us How The So-Called Higher Castes In RSS Tactically Trick And Use The Dalits And Other Lower Castes Affiliated To The RSS To Acheive Their Agenda. The Great Heads Don't Do Anything And Leave Them(The Dalits And The Other Lower Castes) To Do All Their Dirty Work For Them .In Return What Do The Dalits And the Other Lower Castes Get ? they Get Nothing , Except Insult , Shame And Oppression.They Agitate The Spark Of Hate Between Dalits / Lower Castes And Muslims And Portray Revolutionary Leaders Who Instigated The Importance Of Equality As Pro-RSS And Anti Muslims , And Watch In Absolute Enjoyment And Benefit By That , Complete Parasites These People Are .It Makes Me Wonder What Kind Of A Cruel Creature Are These Bhakts .So , It Is Storming , We Are Slowly Entering A Fascist India .This Fascist India is Gonna Be Crueler Than What We Think. To Prevent This From Happening , Let Us Voice Our Opinions Out , Let Us Express Ourselves , Let Us Dedicate Ourselves To The Nation , Let Us Use Our Pens And Write.If You Are A Swayamsevak Or Maybe A Hindutvavaadi Or Maybe Even A Person Who Has RSS Idealogies , I Would Strongly Recommend You To Read This , This Will Make You Reconsider Your Thoughts And Create A New Space Of Thinking In Your Minds .It Will Bring A Revalation About You And Also A Re-Evaluvation Of Your Thoughts , Such Powerfully This Is Written .This Is Certainly A Magnum Opus And A Gem.A Gem You Should Preserve Before It Goes Rusty. So Please Do Read It Immediately And Do Recommend It To Everybody .So That You Get A Clarity In Thought And You Understand The Mega Illusion .
-Bagath Manish

[Sreedharan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book primarily describes how Meghwanshi was originally part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the RSS, and later becomes an Ambedkarite who makes it his life’s mission to expose the hypocrisies within Hindutva.
It is a unique book because first, it is written by someone who was part of the RSS for so many years. The first one-third of the book explains the workings of the RSS. For example, Meghwanshi narrates how the RSS misrepresents Ambedkar’s views on Pakistan to show that he was against Muslims. His conversion to Buddhism (as opposed to Christianity or Islam) is pointed to show how he is not necessarily anti-Hindu since Buddha is also appropriated as a Hindu figure. The book is more important because Meghwanshi is a Dalit person and left the RSS because of an incident of discrimination that occurs somewhere between the first one-third and the halfway point of the book.
The reason he and other Dalit persons joined the RSS was because it was ostensibly a unifying force against non-Hindus. In unifying Hindus, it is almost necessary for the RSS to show solidarity, at least on the outside. The reality, as narrated by Meghwanshi, was that Dalit and other lower caste members in the RSS were always seen as loyal foot soldiers in the struggle against the Muslims. This is evident from the first chapter itself, during the march towards Ayodhya. Although to Meghwanshi, there is an evocation of Ramrajya when it was initially seen as if all Hindus came together at the railway platform, most higher-ups remain at the railway station saying that they will directly reach the place, and the rest are sent in the trains. Ultimately, the people on the trains are jailed by the police.
That the RSS is not what it seemed to be was only made clear to Meghwanshi after the incident. The incident was that he prepared food for visiting Sangh Parivar members, but they declined to eat at his home, claiming they would save time and feed the next village. Instead, they discarded the food on the road. From that day onwards, he “stepped aside from [his] Hindu identity and started seeing the world like a person from a lower caste”.
What sets Meghwanshi apart from other people was that when he initially tried to complain about the caste discrimination with higher-ups within the RSS, his concerns were waved away as if they did not matter, and he was asked to comply with the organisation. He recalls telling other Dalit members of the RSS about the discrimination, but many were not swayed by his talk. It was after this reaction that he was more disillusioned with the RSS, and he made it his life goal to discredit the RSS. This involved setting up several organisations at various points of time, writing poetry and prose against the narrative, and participating with other organisations.
The crux of the Hindutva movement lies in (re)-assimilating lower caste persons within the reconstituted Hindu fold. At the very fundamental level, Meghwanshi shows that the project of Hindu Rashtra can be rejected.

[Karan Taneja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the controversy about the book starts with the name, something a novice might take personally. "You see the other religions? They're worse than this. Blah Blah di Blah"

My parents would get awkward if they saw this book lying around the house and cover it with anything lying near it. I've found it under newspapers, I've found it under clothes, hidden in a shelf. But why? Why is it a problem with a title? Why are we afraid to scratch the surface of this facade of the goodness of our religion, whichever faith we subscribe to? Is it because we believe our faith is perfect or is it because if we looked beneath the surface, we may not be able to handle the truth?

Bhanwar Meghwanshi belongs to the brave group people who tried to look through the curtains and come face to face with one of Hinduism's dirtiest and most vile practise, caste. Belonging to a lower caste and being in the RSS means two things. You do the dirty work of the upper caste elite, the rioting, the carnage and then you're also the collateral damage in that carnage. And by virtue of your birth, you will always always be doing that. He recounts his experience of trying to question the machinery of the RSS while still being a swayamsevak and being denied the right to question. He recounts his experience of the food being prepared at his home being thrown away by the RSS elite because it came from the home of a person belonging to a lower caste. He recounts losing faith and then finding faith in his cause. And he recounts the countless times the Sangh and their claws tried to crush him, but his fight still continues, escaping death and mental fatigue because someone has to raise a voice for the voiceless. He's an inspiration and it is hard not to be shaken by his experiences. To end, I'll quote the last line from the book as I believe it captures the essence of the book efficiently:
" Nevertheless I will speak, I will write and I will always stand up, speak out and fight the battle against injustice, oppression, exploitation and inequality. Inquilab Zindabad! "

[Tara Bhatnagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘War cries rend the air. The times are cruel. Waiting quietly for something to happen, remaining neutral and carrying on with one’s life - these are not options.’ Bhanwar Meghwanshi emerged as a champion for the Dalit cause after years of trying to fit into the RSS backed Hindutva module. In ‘I Could Not Be Hindu’ he talks about this journey from darkness to light, fraught with death threats and insults galore.

Meghwanshi enrolled himself in the Bilwara RSS shakha at the age of 13 despite his parents protests. For them, the Dalit community would never ever find the kind of equality they longed for, especially within an organisation that revered the Manusmriti. For him, it was about belonging somewhere, fuelled by the hope that if he worked hard enough, he would be appreciated and promoted for his diligence to the ideology. It wasn’t long before better sense prevailed; that no matter how much he aped their fanaticism, imbued their Islamophobia and spoke Sanskrit the right way, there was no way he could be a Sangh prachaarak, something he aspired to be.

There is much to be said about the hierarchy of the RSS and the author questioned the exclusion of Dalits, OBC’s and women from the upper ranks of the sangh while still in the system. It took one instance of a direct insult to him and his family via the people he considered his own and the burning desire for revenge for him to begin openly challenging the RSS for their hypocrisy. Meghwanshi reversed his opinion of society by reading Ambedkar and Phule, urging the Dalits in Rajasthan to reject the inequality they face on every level, not just religion.

A first person account, this book clears all doubts about what is to come if a ‘Hindu rashtra’ is imposed on our country. It is necessary for all those who aren’t seeing the bigger picture right now, to read this book and understand that the greatest religion is Humanity and the time to act against state sponsored hate is NOW.

[Amartya Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author quotes Dr. BR Ambedkar in his book which goes something like this - "If Hindu Raj does become a fact, it will, no doubt be the greatest calamity for this country. No matter what the Hindus say, Hinduism is a menace to liberty, equality and fraternity. It is incompatible with democracy. Hindu Raj must be prevented at any cost." This remark has stayed with me throughout this book.

What follows in the book is one of the most lucid story telling, of the journey of a man who became a zealot working for RSS - who eventually finds his way and uses his energies for social change at grassroot levels.

This book is truly a remarkable reading. It recounts a brave story of someone who sees the things for what they really are, who has championed the rights of equality, freedom of choice and dignity for Dalits and Adivasis.
At the end, his story left me with goosebumps! His story about the discrimination and injustice meted to certain sections of the society is almost painful to read.

Mr. Meghwanshi is absolutely critical of RSS - it's values and working. He asks very pertinent questions throught the book, sharing real life examples to show the hypocritical nature of the Sangh.

In his book he takes the reader through the inner structure and workings of RSS, which makes for a very interesting read. And as he shares his story, you cannot but feel for him, for really making a difference, for fighting against the forces that wish to split the Indian society.

This book is a must read for all those who were concerned with the current direction of our nation's politics and it's impact on our country. It's a very quick read that can be finished in a couple of sittings.

As always, with this kind of topic I urge the reader to go to multiple sources, and try to have conversations with people who different views to get a more holistic idea of the organisation that is RSS.

[Kracekumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary memoir of a man who grew up as a RSS member, later moved away from RSS because of their betrayal and hypocrisy and working towards social unity and started exposing the RSS hypocrisy towards Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs.

The book is full of exploitation by Brahmin-Bania castes in the name of Hindu unity and how the oppressed are merely used for carrying out attacks on Muslims and perform violence against poor people.

The pertinent learning point - any institution or group modeled after the Hindu or Sanatana dharma is nothing but a hog-wash name for caste hierarchy. the entire structure of RSS and BJP political party is structured after caste-system with a single point of projecting outsiders (Muslim) as enemies. Hindu nationalism is nothing but caste nationalism to win elections and keep control over the society

One has to give it to Bhanwar's courage, grit, passion to fight for Dalits, unity of oppressed people, and be the loyal and uncompromising fight for the cause of humanity, equality, and justice even when the lethal attacks were carried out by the RSS, Rajasthan state bureaucrats and elected members and ministers.

[Crystal John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Could Not Be Hindu," Bhanwar Meghwanshi fearlessly delves into the complex and deeply rooted issue of caste discrimination in India, offering a poignant and personal account of his own journey and struggles. This thought-provoking memoir challenges societal norms and invites readers to critically examine the oppressive caste system that continues to prevail in contemporary India.

Meghwanshi's writing is raw and unapologetic, providing an intimate glimpse into his experiences as a Dalit, or a member of the marginalized lower caste. Through vivid storytelling and vivid descriptions, he vividly depicts the discrimination, humiliation, and social exclusion faced by Dalits on a daily basis.

One of the strengths of this book is Meghwanshi's ability to combine personal anecdotes with broader sociopolitical analysis. He skillfully weaves together historical context, cultural traditions, and his own reflections to offer a comprehensive understanding of the caste system and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

[Basu Srivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book offers a great insight into how the organizations like these work and brain wash the people.

It's never been easy to have ones own line of thought if you keep hearing the same thing day in day out (when part of any such organization) but it was Bhanwar Meghawanshi's sheer will to overcome that and re-learn everything. We need more people like Bhanwar (as portrayed in book) to eradicate this casteism and other evils and then only can we start our arduous journey towards equality.

Biased in parts but that's a given for all authors cause they write their perspective.

A definite read for people who have interest in this realm.!

[Nilabja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Meghwanshi's story of being a karsevak to being a journalist and anti-caste activist is a good account of the Sangh's ideology, its activities and how it inherently protects and promotes casteism. It is also an account of the author's fight against Hindutva and the challenges faced, from the Sangh as well as the administrative systems that it has infiltrated, and sometimes from even fellow Dalits. This book can serve as a good eye-opener for someone who doesn't know about RSS and its activities, or has a generally favorable opinion of it.

[Unbeatable Devendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is known to all that RSS is a communal organisation and it works mostly underground. Experience of author is eye opener for all marginalized caste. Now the people of India are literate and will not come under any pressure. We hope for better social life without having any difference with each other. There shouldn't be any space for communalism....

[Vishal Talreja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personal account of the author's experience with the RSS and the seeing through its agenda, casteism, betrayal of the lower castes and politics of division and exploitation. A must read to break open the false unifying vision that the RSS has propagated for anyone remotely Hindu. Brave! Courageous!

[Kevin McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick bio of Bhanwar Meghwanshi that I enjoyed reading.
He is a Dalit that tried to be a loyal proud Hindu but discovered Hiduism as extoled by the RSS left his people as untouchables and suffering indignities all their life.
I admire his intelligence and he developed a clear view of the messed up communal battles taking place daily in India.

[Priyank Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bhanwar ji's book is a part memoir, part investigative report on the inner functioning of the RSS. Most of the initial part of the book deals with his personal falling out with the RSS and next part deals with his revolutionary side; creation of Dalit activism organizations, fighting head-on with the RSS, small wins, etc.

I like Bhanwar ji in the book. I got to see the life of a revolutionary

[Aishwarya S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides an insight into how Dalits are treated within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, The BJP's parent organisation. It is simply written, easy to comprehend, and exposes the doublespeak that is the hallmark trait of being a member of this organisation that is committed to making India a Hindu-Rashtra at the expense of the dignity and rights of Dalits, Christians and Muslims.

[Aru · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an honest memoir of a Dalit who left RSS.

While I was amused by the ridiculous propaganda of the RSS, it is quite scary that minds are indoctrinated with such ideas.

The author shows us that casteism is present in RSS itself. How the ‘upper castes’ hold the higher positions; and discriminate against and use the lower castes.