Former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind recently delivered remarks addressing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its perceived connections to the principles of B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution. Kovind asserted that past characterizations of the Sangh Parivar and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as “anti-Dalit” were false. He quoted Vajpayee as stating that his government would operate based on “Bhim Smriti”, interpreted as Ambedkar’s ideals and the Indian Constitution, rather than “Manu Smriti.”
Kovind further suggested a commonality between concerns expressed by Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1949 regarding national division and similar sentiments attributed to RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar, positioning the RSS as a “symbol of unity and organisation.” He also drew a link between the Sangh’s traditional concept of Hindu Sangathan and social justice, echoing a slogan used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, Kovind claimed that Mahatma Gandhi had been “very impressed” by the RSS’s efforts at social unity and its apparent absence of caste divisions during a visit to their headquarters in September 1947.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/rss-turns-100-chief-guest-kovind-ambedkarwadi-10283980/