The RSS: A View to the Inside by Walter Andersen and Shridhar Damle (Hardcover)

“The RSS: A View to the Inside” is a book written by Walter Andersen and Shridhar Damle that provides an in-depth look at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization in India. The book was first published in 1987 and has since become a classic reference on the RSS and its ideology.

The authors, who are both experts on Indian politics and society, draw on extensive interviews with RSS leaders and members, as well as archival research, to provide a detailed history and analysis of the organization. They examine the origins of the RSS, its philosophy and goals, and its role in shaping Indian politics and society.

The book explores the RSS’s influence on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right-wing political party that has been in power in India since 2014, as well as on other right-wing groups and movements in India. It also examines the RSS’s relationship with the Indian state and its role in Indian society, including its impact on issues such as religion, caste, and gender.

Through their analysis, Andersen and Damle provide a nuanced and comprehensive view of the RSS and its place in Indian society and politics. They also explore the challenges and controversies surrounding the organization, including its alleged involvement in communal violence and its role in promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda.

Overall, “The RSS: A View to the Inside” is an important and insightful book for anyone interested in understanding the RSS and its impact on Indian society and politics. It remains a valuable reference for scholars, journalists, and policymakers alike.