The Rashtra Sevika Samiti (''National Women Volunteers Committee'') is a

Hindu nationalist Hindu nationalism has been collectively referred to as the expression of political thought, based on the native social and cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent. "Hindu nationalism" is a simplistic translation of . It is better descri ...

women's organisation that parallels the

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS,, ) is an Indian right-wing politics, right-wing, Hindutva, Hindu nationalist volunteer paramilitary organisation. It is the progenitor and leader of a large body of organisations called the Sangh Parivar ( ...

(RSS) for men. Even though it is often referred to as the "Sister" of the RSS, the organisation claims that it is independent of the RSS while sharing its ideology. Membership and leadership is embraced to women and its activities are directed to nationalist devotion and mobilisation of Hindu women. The current Chief (

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

: ''Pramukh Sanchalika'') of the Samiti is V. Shantha Kumari (referred to informally as "Shanthakka") and its General Secretary (''Pramukh Karyavahika'') is Sita Annadanam. V shanthakumari-June-16-2016-4

History

Before establishing the organization, Kelkar visited Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, in 1936 and had a long discussion to persuade him regarding the need for starting a women's wing in the

itself. However, Hedgewar advised Laxmibai Kelkar to establish an entirely separate organization that would be autonomous and independent of the RSS, as both groups were ideologically identical. Hedgewar promised Kelkar unconditional solidarity, support and guidance for the Samithi. Following this, Kelkar established the Rashtra Sevika Samiti at

Wardha Wardha is a city and a municipal council in Wardha district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The administrative headquarter of Wardha district is situated here. Wardha gets its name from the Wardha River which flows on the northern, western ...

on 25 October 1936.

Activities

Rashtra Sevika Samiti is today the largest Hindu organization working to uphold Indian culture and traditions. The current ruling party Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) is the political arm of RSS.RSS women are actively involved in socio-cultural activities. Samiti inculcates a sense of responsible behaviour and social awareness in people. Various types of educational and awareness camps at different levels in all parts of India are conducted periodically. Active ''Shakhas'' (local branches with regular gatherings of members where they practice yoga, sing nationalist/patriotic songs, military training and have discussions) of the Samiti currently operate in 5215 centers. 875 centers conduct the Shakhas on a daily basis. The estimates of active membership range from 100,000 to 1 million It has overseas branches in 10 countries, which use the name ''Hindu Sevika Samiti''. Rashtra Sevika Samaj operates residential camps across the country to educate young women on

love Jihad Love jihad (or Romeo jihad) is an Islamophobic conspiracy theory promoted by right-wing Hindutva activists. The conspiracy theory purports that Muslim men target Hindu women for conversion to Islam by means such as seduction, feigning love ...

and their responsibilities as Hindu women, and the consequences of violence from their families for marrying Muslim men (S.N., 2020). Right-wing feminists like this group argue that Islam restricts women's rights based on their tenants and customs, depicting Muslim women as subordinate to Muslim men (S.N., 2020). Samiti also runs 475 service projects all over India for the poor and underprivileged, with regard to religion, caste, creed, sect, gender, or ethnicity. These include Go Shalas , libraries, computer training centers and orphanages. Rashtra Sevika Samiti focuses on Hindu women's role in the society as leaders and agents of positive social reform. Samiti teaches its members three ideals: Matrutva (Universal Motherhood), represented by

Jijabai Jijabai Shahaji Bhonsale (; 12 January 1598 – 17 June 1674), referred to as Rajmata Jijabai, was the mother of Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Kingdom. She was a daughter of Lakhujirao Jadhav of Sindkhed Raja. Early life Jijabai was born ...

; Kartrutva (Efficiency and Social Activism), represented by Ahilyabai Holkar; and Netrutva (Leadership) represented by

Rani of Jhansi The Rani of Jhansi (born Manikarnika Tambe; 1828 or 1835 – 18 June 1858), also known as Rani Lakshmibai, was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The queen consort of the princely state of Jhansi from 1843 to 1853, s ...

. The organization believes that all women have the capability to create a positive change in their community

Chiefs of the organization

# Laxmibai Kelkar (मावशी लक्ष्मीबाई केळकर, Founder, known as Mavashi Kelkar), from October 1936 to November 1978 (her death) # Saraswati Apte (सरस्वती आपटे, knows as Tai Apte), 1978-1994 # Usha-tai Chati (उषाताई चाटी, Aug 1927 - Aug 2017), headed the organization from 1994 to 2006 # Pramila-tai Medhe (प्रमिला-ताई मेढे), 2006-2012, currently acts as advisor # V. Shantha Kumari (शान्ताक्का, Shanthakka, born 1952); chief from 2012 to date

References

External links

Vandaneeya Laxmibai Kelkar - The founder Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti
* S.N. (2020, July 29) “Love Jihad” - A case of Femonationalism in India. Medium. {{Sangh Parivar Women's wings of political parties in India Sangh Parivar Hindu organizations Hindu nationalism Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Hindutva

History

Activities

Chiefs of the organization

See also

References

Further reading

External links