Archive · 13 Nov 2025
India's Intellectual Divide: RSS vs. The Left
Imagine India's smart people are like kids in a playground.
After India became its own country, some grown-ups who liked the RSS (a group called the Sangh Parivar) felt that other smart people, mostly on the Left, didn't want to play with them.
These Left-leaning people were worried about appearing 'un-secular' if they talked to the RSS.
But, a long time ago, even famous leaders like Gandhi talked to the RSS founder.
Now, the article says that because the Right-wing political party is doing well, the RSS is becoming a big voice in how people think.
Some people think this is making the media and even movies repeat what the Right-wing wants to say.
This is like the RSS is trying to become the 'boss' of ideas, like history and learning.
The article also points out that the RSS, while complaining the Left wants to be the 'boss' of ideas, might be doing the same thing.
They ask if the RSS talks to people they disagree with.
The result is that India's smart people are really divided, with the Left and Right shouting at each other.
The article worries that moderate voices, who try to find middle ground, are getting lost in this fight.
It wonders if India can be a more welcoming place if these moderate voices get stronger.
An editorial highlights India's intellectual polarization between the RSS/Right and the Left.
Former MP Rakesh Sinha contends Left-liberals avoided engaging with the RSS post-Independence to protect secular image.
The author argues the RSS's intellectual influence has grown with the political ascendancy of the Right.
The media and popular culture are seen as amplifying the RSS's views, leading to attempts to 'saffron-wash' history.
The intellectual ecosystem remains divided, marginalizing moderate and liberal viewpoints.
- Who
- Rakesh Sinha, a former BJP Rajya Sabha member, and commentators on India's intellectual landscape.
- What
- An editorial discussing the polarization of India's intellectual classes between the RSS/Right and the Left.
- When
- Post-Independence, with specific mention of recent electoral ascendancy of the Right.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Lack of engagement, differing ideologies, and the pursuit of intellectual hegemony by opposing factions.
The Left-Liberal Perspective
The RSS/Right-Wing Perspective
Historical Engagement with RSS
The Left-Liberal Perspective
The Left-liberal intellectual classes largely did not engage with the RSS after Independence, prioritizing their secular credentials.
The RSS/Right-Wing Perspective
Pre-independent India had a different intellectual environment where figures like Gandhi and Ambedkar engaged with the RSS founder, K.B. Hedgewar.
Intellectual Hegemony
The Left-Liberal Perspective
The RSS/Right-wing is accused of seeking intellectual hegemony and distorting history and knowledge production through political power.
The RSS/Right-Wing Perspective
The Left-liberal fraternity is accused of harbouring a desire for intellectual hegemony.
Current Intellectual Landscape
The Left-Liberal Perspective
The media, popular culture, and academic institutions have become mouthpieces for the ascendant Right, leading to a polarized intellectual ecosystem.
The RSS/Right-Wing Perspective
The RSS is also accused of intellectual distancing, replicating the behavior it criticizes in its adversaries, leading to polarization.
- Author's Affiliation (Sinha)
- Former Rajya Sabha member from BJP
- Key Figures Mentioned
- Rakesh Sinha, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, K.B. Hedgewar
- Core Issue
- Polarization of intellectual discourse in India between the RSS/Right and the Left.
- Contention
- Lack of engagement between intellectual classes and RSS post-Independence, attributed to a desire to bolster secular credentials.
- Current State
- Intellectual ecosystem divided, with moderates and liberals marginalized.