Dr Satwant Singh Rissam
ssrissam84@gmail.com
Many readers will recall the reasons behind Congress’s recent defeat in Bihar, while others may reflect on the current crisis faced by the J&K Congress in its alliance with the National Conference as they read through to the end.The Indian National Congress is one of India’s oldest and most important political parties. Its history is closely linked to India’s freedom struggle and later political growth. A big part of its strength during the independence movement was the Congress Seva Dal, a group of volunteers created in 1923 to organize and discipline party workers. Rahul Gandhi has even called it the “backbone” of the Congress. The Seva Dal was once central to the party, but today it seems to have lost importance. This raises the question: has the Congress left behind this once-vital institution?
To begin with, the Seva Dal was born out of necessity during the freedom struggle. It was founded by Dr. Narayan Subbarao Hardikar and supported by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. The goal was to create disciplined volunteers who would help the Congress in its non-violent fight against British rule. Therefore, members were trained in physical fitness, organization, and ideology. They became the foot soldiers of the Independence movement.In addition, Seva Dal volunteers played active roles by joining protests, providing relief during crises, and spreading the message of unity and self-reliance. Their uniforms made them recognizable as symbols of service and sacrifice.After 1947, the Seva Dal continued to work at the grassroots level by staying present in towns and villages. It became a training ground for future Congress leaders and helped the party stay connected to its core values of social justice, secularism, and nationalism.
Leaders like Rahul Gandhi often reminded people of its role, calling it an “unshakable pillar” of the party. However, as Indian politics changed, the Congress began to pay less attention to the Seva Dal. The rise of regional parties, identity politics, and the growing power of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shifted priorities for Congress party. Unlike the BJP, which built a strong volunteer force with support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Congress did not modernize or properly invest in the Seva Dal.First, the Congress shifted from building a grassroots network to focusing mainly on elections, media campaigns, and alliances. Although this seemed practical in a competitive environment, it made the slow but steady work of the Seva Dal look outdated.Second, internal divisions in the Congress made things worse. The Seva Dal, which once united people, got sidelined because of leadership struggles and lack of attention. Even though leaders like Lalji Desai were appointed to revive it, these efforts were not strong enough. Today, the Seva Dal still organizes marches, training programs, and camps, but its activities rarely influence the party’s larger strategy.As a result, the neglect of the Seva Dal has hurt the Congress.
Earlier, the Seva Dal showed the party’s commitment to service and unity, which gave it strong connections with ordinary people. By ignoring it, the Congress has weakened its grassroots strength and begun to look like a party of elites. In today’s politics, where success often depends on strong organizations and local voter contact, this weakness is costly. This is one reason why the Congress has not been able to match the BJP’s reach in many states.On the positive side, the legacy of the Seva Dal still offers a way forward. If rejuvenated, it could help the Congress rebuild its network, connect with rural areas, and appeal to young voters. Rahul Gandhi’s praise of the Seva Dal shows the party recognizes its value, but real action is needed. This means proper funding, modern training programs, and integrating it into the party’s election plans.
The decline of the Seva Dal shows how the Congress moved away from its grassroots traditions to short-term strategies. Once a powerful force in both the freedom movement and the party’s growth, it is now a shadow of its past. However, reviving it could give the Congress new energy and help bridge the gap between its great history and its uncertain present. By investing again in the Seva Dal, the party could reclaim its connection with the people of India.If these words reach the Congress leadership, especially those who confine themselves to closed-door meetings and engage in room politics, their influence over party affairs will diminish significantly. This opaque style of functioning has been detrimental to the Congress’s image and prospects, causing damage that could potentially set the party back for another 10 to 15 years in J&K.
(The author is Media and communication professional)
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