Haji Ali? Check. Trupti Desai Eyes the RSS Old Boys Club Next

Clear your July calendar. Mohan Bhagwat to meet Trupti Desai to explain why RSS doesn’t induct women into its cadre.

Gender equality activist Trupti Desai’s next stop will be the RSS HQ in Pune. (Photo: The Quint/Hardeep Singh)

It’s a small victory. Trupti Desai offered prayers at Haji Ali without any incident. This was just a fortnight after she tried to storm her way through, which landed her in the hospital. While she did not attempt to enter the sanctum sanctorum which is out of bounds for women, Trupti is confident that when she does lead a brigade of women inside, it will not be by force.

Trupti Desai’s feminist uprising, however, is not limited to places of worship alone. The activist has sought a meeting with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to ask one simple question – “Bharat Mata is the reason your organisation exists, why is it then, that women fail to find any representation in the RSS?”

Speaking to The Quint, Trupti also set the record straight for critics who say her crusade is for women, not equality.

Why have you sought a meeting with RSS Chief?

I had written a letter to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on 27 April. I had written that the RSS only inducts male members. On stage, they always put up an image of Bharat Mata but you don’t see women being represented on stage or within the organisation. Women should get equal representation in the RSS, they should get a place in the organisation. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has responded to my letter. He’s written that he’s busy with an RSS camp in May-June and that he will meet me in the first week of July to discuss the matter.

What is the parallel between your movement allowing women to enter temples and equal representation in the RSS?

Our movement is for gender equality. We want women to be allowed to enter temples where only men are permitted. In the same way, RSS is an all-male bastion where women too should be allowed. This is about ensuring equal status.

But that isn’t equality, is it? What I’m asking is, that there are men’s rights activists who say that you’re not fighting for women, not equality.

There were many jokes on social media about reservation. I would tell the men who are criticising me that if you feel that you’re not being treated equally, then raise your voice. It’s a slow process, but we will achieve equality, it is an ongoing process.