The resurgence, valiance and cultural rejuvenation of the student community of India are a significant phenomenon of contemporary social process. Playing a distinct and a potent role in such an incredible upsurge is the ABVP(AkhilBharatiyaVidyarathiParishad),the largest and a colossal all India student organization instituted in the year 1948, under the initiative of Shri BalrajMadhok, a RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh, (RSS) activist and his compatriots. But it was only in the year 1958 when Professor YeshwantraoKelkar took over the reins of the body that the foundation stone of a dynamic and a resilient student organization was laid. In present times this body has under the indomitable and efficacious leadership and guidance of Dr. S. Subbaiah, National President, Shri Sunil Ambekar Ji, National Organizing Secretary, and Shri Ashish Chauhan, National General Secretary achieved new heights of paramountcy and has carved for itself a conspicuous niche in our social paraphernalia. What sets it apart from other student enterprises is the ABVP’s ultimate devotion to arouse among our youth a feeling of national consciousness by invoking in them a sense ofnatinal pride and unwavering patriotism. More than seventy years of its existence has been marked by incessant struggles and pursuance of diverse activities, even under the most unpropitious conditions and challenges unleashed by unfavourable changing political climate of the times.
As a Nationalist all India student organization, the ABVP derives inspiration from the rich cultural and philosophical history of Bharat and seeks to instil among the student community a deep sense of national identity and social responsibility. Its philosophy is to disseminate amongst the youth a gospel of hope, urging young minds to recreate his being and venture upon to construct a refined future for himself, for the society and for the country as a whole. What gives this student body a distinct character is its unprecedented aptitude to capture and diffuse among the younger generation the very essence of our national strength. It very aptly upholds that our society is integrated by certain objective relationships which go beyond determinants based on caste, class or religion. We possess a memory of a common past and have linguistic and cultural ties which permit and facilitate a high degree of social communication within and beyond diverse groups. We have also been constitutionally blessed with social equality where all members of the societystand on an equal footing and partake equally in all activities of an organized civil society. The key word in the ABVP lexicon is National Reconstruction. Indeed it has always tried to espouse the philosophy of working in and on society. This underlying logic and inclusive philosophy has today made ABVP spread its network in the entire length and breadth of the country. This broad coverage reflects the ambition of its mentors to unite the nation on the basis of shared cultural values. Drawing ideological inspiration from its ideological source the RSS, the ABVP has as its primary goal the restoration of the former glory of Vedic India and a practical reinvention of the true meaning of the Vedic texts.
A cursory glance at the philosophy and working of ABVP leads one to assert that it is far from being abstract. It prominently stands for India’s regeneration coloured with patriotic fervor and nationalist outlook. It cherishes the glory of our rich cultural heritage and seeks to discover India’s long lost mission among the global community. ABVP in fact symbolizes a dynamic social change and hence establish a progressive society. This calls for a spirited conceptualization of social change involving intense struggle and dedication for which the youth of our society is to be moulded likewise and groomed. It is in this respect that this student body has been playing a pioneering role and guarantying a meaningful and purposive life for its members.Its unparalleled patriotism makes it propound the cause of cultural nationalism as opposed to territorial nationalism which it considers detrimental to the growth of a cohesive Indian nation. As such there has always been a persistent urge to lay emphasis on the true resurgence of India in cultural, social and economic and spiritual terms.
ABVP stands for comprehensive revolution in the society. This revolution was not meant to be based on dogmatic thinking but it was to exemplify a positive and constructive change in the attitude towards life-a thorough social transformation in which real and effective youth power would be mobilized for national reconstruction and awakening. A prime preconditionfor the evolution of such an enthused social arrangement is the call for a humanistic social approach.Espousing the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda this student outfit stand for active humanism. It calls upon the youth of our country to become a means to serve humanity. They should first instil in themselves a sense of their own dignity,self-discipline, rational behavior and then help others in the society to find their own identity and dignity, thus making them well equipped to strive for a good, truthful and a just society. This motto is also in complete tune with Vivekananda’s deliberations on ‘Be’ and ‘Make’. It typifies the core of a meaningful existence. To elaborate this understanding further, it means that as divine souls individuals should first illuminate their own lives and then assist the society to become conscious of this illumination and intrinsic truth. This realization would not only induce primarily among the youth a sense of his own pride but would foster in them abhorrence for any form of adversaries or tormentation.
ABVP stands for the philosophy of moderation, growth and synthesis so that the youth power in our country could be rejuvenated to march ahead towards the path of progress, prosperity and social harmony. At the level of the government, this student body seeks to bear upon it to bring justice and systematic changes. It should as such be gathered that the understandings and activities of ABVP seeks to complement and supplement governmental effort via motivational and inspiring student power so that the nation and the society as a whole stand to benefit. Anindepth philosophical investigation of itspolicies,programmes and growth of this student body helps us to arrive at another significant realization. In rune with its honest efforts to uphold the magnificent glory of our culture the ABVP has been constantly striving to positively change the mindset of our youth caught in the disgusting trap of technological enchantments and globalization. Under such a situation human values and relationships-the core elements which help us keep connected to our cultural roots have witnessed a serious setback.Such a vibrant approach induces one to opine that this body indeed stands for a youth making process-a process that would primarily inculcate patriotic feelings, thus preparing them to become ardent patriots and make them identity themselves with their country and for what it stands.
ABVP is indeed a student organization that feels proud in admitting that it derives its inspiration from the RSS, the frontal Hindu organization, but one must recognize the significant fact that ABVP does not and has never stood for a policy based on exclusion. Its policy of Indianisation and its attempts to serve the cause of the diverse people of our country irrespective of narrow or other considerations is to be applaudable. Its indiscriminate sweep throughout the length and breadth of the country is a reflection of its universal approach and here in lies its strength. Its activities and the values that it holds have contributed to it becoming a force to be reckoned with. It has confirmed beyond doubt that student power when moulded and propelled in the right direction can prove to be a powerful force in the promotion of national causes. It is significant to note that it was during the Indo-Pak war of 1965 when a strong wind of nationalist fervor had engulfed the country the ABVP enthused by its strong nationalist sentiments entered the national popular expanse and it was during this period when this student body formulated a very significant slogan quoted in a publicprogrammeShriShriniwas Ji, the present National Joint OrganizingSecretary of ABVP i.e. “Student power is not nuisance power, student power is nation’s power”.
ABVP’s cult of nationalism is an apparatus that is explicitly used for the cultural and civic regeneration of theIndian society. It obviously follows that ABVP’s understanding of nationalism goes beyond and indeed supersedes its territorial version. In its ideological understandings and practices there is no space for subversive nationalism. What needs to be asserted is that at the root of its nationalism lies its immense commitment to culturally and socially purify our society, as this purification when substantiated with spiritual awakening restores self-belief in man and makes him recognize his inherent greatness. For this mammoth student body patriotism virtually begins at the grassroots. It is not merely rhetoric, nor does it stand for contrived or tumultuous agitation. Contribution and actual participation in the resolution of day to day problems pertaining to the society at large marks the beginning of its mission to rebuild a new India where its essential values would be retained, respected and upheld. ABVP activist, as such have never shied away from helping those in distress, irrespective of cast class or religious considerations. For this student body committed and intense engagements for the cause of Mother India are the only sign of LIFE, and to live up to this ideal, rebelliousness is also justified. It considers unthinking acceptance as a symptom of degeneracy and sluttishness. According to it social, economic and cultural reconstruction of the country calls for unbounded energy and enthusiasm buttressed with immense integrity and impeccability and it is the youth of our country that represents such an infinite powerhouse of vitality and strength. The central focus of ABVP has been to recognize and awaken this potential amongst our youth and divert the strength of their body and mind towards national projects.
Beneath the logic of a strong national sprit and integrity lies ABVP’s emphasis on strengthening our society by initiating struggles and movements against unreasonable distinctions and inequalities. Infactthe wave of nationalism unleashed by itoverthe years have significantly attempted to disintegrate and liquidate caste barriers as it rightly feels that such social inhibitions harm the cause of India’s cultural and democratic ethos. This aptly goes on to prove that ABVP unlike its opponents strongly upholds the cause of a NEW INDIA bereft of social inequalities and oppression. Significantly enough this body’s understandings on nationalism and patriotism is comprehensive enough to make space not only for our culture and philosophy but also knowledge and its mode of articulation. As a part of its national reconstruction programme the ABVP has taken up the task of advocating the development, research and promotion of Sanskrit and other Indian languages on a missionary zeal. This it feels would enable the youth of our country to delve into the roots of our culture and heritage, recognize and hail its immense potentialities. Emphasis on national education would as such contribute to the building of human mind and nature and in turn help in the preservation and strengthening of the nation’s soul and its cultural genius.
One however needs to significantly acknowledge that Indianisation of our education system does not brand ABVP as a body which rejects the achievements of the west. ABVP’s endurance and tenacity owes solely to the fact that its intense nationalist urges have made it place Mother India on a pedestal. The radiance emanating out of this visible expression of our nation as a deity is attributed to the strength of our past historical, spiritual and cultural heritage, being manifested in our cultural, historical affinities and strong civilizational bonding and continuity. ABVP is committed to ensure that the youth of our country empowers and enlightens themselves from this radiance and luminous vision andmarch ahead towards creating a new and powerful India.
People in our country are spiritually oriented and culture centric. Our past still continue to present before us the resplendent glory of India as a spiritual power. Philosophically speaking and culturally delving into this body’s educational agenda would lead one to state that it seeks to ordain a striking endurance between the dynamics of our past and the yet unvisualized endowments of our present / future youth power. Its inclinations in the educational arena are meant to unfold the soul of India and its eternal and universal spirit. ABVP eulogizes an India as a civilization in which every Indian shares a common history and culture and own national system of education is meant to penetrate into the masses so that they feel connected with our glorious past. This feels ABVP would go a long way to enrich and mould the minds of our young generation and inculcate in them a sense of national pride. This would also enthuse and motivate them for constructive and dedicated service for the nation.
Still another distinct aspect of the working and deliberations of this student organization is its dedicated commitment to promote the cause of the environment. Inherent in its rationale behind promoting environmental issues is the significant perception where mother earth is considered to be synonymous with mother India. Thus an indispensable component of this body’s agenda is to protect the environment from the devastating threat of air, water and soil pollution. Only when the environment is free from pollution can the society breathe fresh air, have open minds and in turn think and act positively. In pursuance of this simple logic ABVP has been initiating plantation drives throughout the country. This has helped to sensitize people about the critical importance of ecology for human survival.
Taking into cognizance ABVP’sbroad spectrum of nationalist activities and its deep-seated ideological orientations, it can be concluded that today this body has become a formidable student force which has significantly helped to redefine student politics. Much of the popularity, strength and reverence enjoyed by ABVP can be credited to its contemporary mentors whose values, principles and guidance have ensured its distinct status in university activities country wide. Had it been otherwise ABVP would have become a barren and an abstract force. It is an undeniable fact that as long as ABVP remains attached to its philosophy of national growth and spiritual unity it cannot go astray from the path of dedication, progress and harmony. The youth of our country in large numbers should imbibe and put into practice the ideals of the ABVP and immerse themselves into its glorious value system-a system which definitely seeks to pledge that the undying spirit of ABVP to preserve India’s cultural and civilizational bond and uphold the unification of the nation will ever remain uncontested. Long live ABVP.
