In a recent interview, the recently famous feminist, Trupti Desai, thundered, “RSS must allow women to become members”. Excellent idea! The bipartisan response on twitter, a rarity, as those familiar with the platform would acknowledge. I had entirely missed the news cycle that day, but when twitterati started sharing their support for Trupti Desai, I was a little confused. Confused, not because I didn’t think “women-in-RSS” was a good idea… Confused, because RSS already allows women to be their members! 

When RSS was founded in 1925, it didn’t have a women’s wing. It wasn’t until after 11 years after its foundation, Lakshmibai Kelkar, whom Swayamsevaks fondly call Mausiji, prevailed upon Dr. Hegdewar and convinced him that society cannot afford that women be left out from the work of Hindu revitalization. Thus, Mausi ji laid the foundation of Rashtriya Sevika Samiti in 1936.

The main objective of Rashtriya Sevika Samiti was to create awareness among women about their Swadharma, their duties towards the society, importance of family values and self-defense. It is the belief of Rashtriya Sevika Samiti that women are not only equal partners in the process of Hindu revitalization, but in fact are custodians and torchbearers of any culture. Thus, it is essential for women to be involved in the process, to understand, internalize and defend their cultural ethos, so that they could pass it forward to future generations. 

RSS recognizes three pillars of a woman’s strength: Matrutva (Motherhood), Kritutva (Duties), and Netrutva (leadership). It is these three pillars that form the basis of Sevika Samiti as well. 

"Women's contribution towards the society comes not only from what she does but also from the children she raises"

Now let’s look at what Sevika Samiti Shakha looks like. The Shakha activities are broadly divided into five parts- mandal khel, dwi-mandal khel, do dalon ka khel, boudhik khel and sadhan yukt khel.

Mandal khel is basically about individual competition comprising mostly of athletics like short sprints, high jump, long jump etc. along with certain mind and memory games like- finish the lines of a poem, dumb-charades and spell bee (in local language or Hindi)

Dwi-mandal khel is similar games but in pairs and includes memory games too.

Sadhan yukt khel is more about using props like bamboo sticks etc. It's a group activity and focuses more on self-defense.

Not to forget that Yoga is an important part in Shakha activities.

Aside from physical activities, women participate in sessions that discuss their role and contribution in the society, nation building and as upholders of Dharma. Rashtriya Sevika Samiti organizes seminars from time to time, on current topics involving women like "Role of women in building nation’s economy”. This wing has been equally active in every relief work conducted by RSS and individually has more than 400 service projects for poor and under-privileged. And all of this regardless of religion, caste or gender. They have been successfully running schools, libraries, various skill training centers and also maintain orphanages and women's hostel.

RSS is known to stay away from all the media glare, thus sadly women's wing is almost unheard of, for most people. It's about time RSS rethinks on its decision and creates awareness about all the good work done by all its wings. This will most certainly encourage greater participation from society, which is the need of the hour.

Author’s Note: This piece wouldn't have happened without Neha Srivastava’s encouragement. Thank you Neha for helping me put together my jumbled thoughts into a rather coherent write up.