The Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, known as an RSS affiliated organization, is now a recognised research institute affiliated to University of Mumbai.
With the recognition, the centre which operates from outskirts of Mumbai, has launched PhD and MA (by research) in Political Science, admissions for which are currently on. With total 20 seats including MA and PhD both, the centre has also got two research guides from two Mumbai based colleges.
The Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) has been the centre socio-political activities of RSS and BJP leaders since its inception in 1982.
Leadership training programs for elected representatives and activists, awareness campaigns and socio-economic research have been its core area. However, it is for the first time that it has applied for affiliation from the 160-year old prestigious University. It is very rare for the university to recognise such a politically leaning centre, say experts. Incidentally, the present vice chancellor of the University Dr Sanjay Deshmukh has worked as research director of the RMP from 2003 to 2007.
The institution is headed by All India Sampark Pramukh of RSS, Anirudh Deshpande. Vice chairman's post is held by the National Vice President of BJP Vinay Sahastrabuddhe who is also the member of parliament.
Education minister of Maharashtra Vinod Tawde and several BJP MLAs are also on the board of the organization. Even Devendra Fadnavis had been associated with it, claims the RMP wesbite. Senior BJP leaders recall that Pramod Mahajan was at the helm of RMP for 16 long years as the Chairman and nurtured it like his own baby. Late Gopinath Munde was its chairman till his demise.
Chief Manager, Administration, RMP, Govind Ambadekar, said, “We have been doing research work for many years now. This is only that we have got affiliation from Mumbai University now. Our MA course is also research based.” Ambadekar also said that with the MU recognition, more interdisciplinary research work would be taken up.
Dr. Swati Pitale from Shailendra Education Society’s Arts, Commerce and Science College (Dahisar) and Dr Mahesh Bhagwat from Mithibai College (Vile Parle) have been listed as research guides for International Relations and Public administration respectively.
As per the organization's website, it was Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay who had conceived the idea of an academy for socio-political activists. “However, before Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay could translate this vision into reality, he was brutally murdered. Then Panditji, Rambhau Mhalgi, a prominent political figure from Maharashtra, made it his responsibility to materialize this idea,” states the RMP website.
“Apart from training elected representatives, activists, civil servants and journalists, RMP also provides conference and accommodation facilities to corporate houses, reads the website.
When asked about the basis the affiliation of the RMP with the varsity, Registrar of the University MA Khan said, “Affiliation is given as per the University procedure. Nothing wrong about it.” He however insisted that the affiliation is given only for the research course, not for MA.
