Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Joint General Secretary C R Mukund on Friday stated that the organisation is putting special emphasis on expanding its 'shakhas' and strengthening engagement with society through public outreach programmes as part of its centenary year celebrations.
Speaking at a media briefing in Samalkha in Panipat district, Mukund said that in Kerala alone, volunteers visited more than 55,000 Muslim homes and 54,000 Christian homes as part of the outreach initiative.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale inaugurated the three-day meeting of the organisation’s top decision-making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), in Samalkha.
As the organisation is marking its centenary this year, the meeting will include comprehensive discussions on major programmes and campaigns planned for the celebrations. These include 'grihasampark' (mass contact programme), Hindu Sammelans, youth conferences, gatherings of prominent citizens and social harmony meetings.
During his address, Mukund also spoke about the RSS initiative called 'Panch Parivartan'. The initiative focuses on social harmony, preservation of family values, environmental protection, strengthening selfhood and self-reliance, and encouraging people to follow legal, civic and constitutional duties.
Mukund said that through the 'grihasampark' campaign, the RSS has reached out to more than 10 crore households across the country. He added that over three lakh villages have been covered under the programme and the organisation is also witnessing a positive response through initiatives such as "Sabbhav Gosti" and "Pramukh Nagrik Gostis."
In Kerala, the outreach programme included visits to households belonging to Muslims, Christians and even people with communist leanings. Mukund said RSS volunteers received a warm welcome wherever they went. He added that the 'swayamsevaks' visited around 55,000 Muslim homes and 54,000 Christian homes, and also reached out to tribal regions through the campaign.
Explaining the plan of action for the centenary year, Mukund said the initiatives have two main dimensions. One is organisational growth, with a strong focus on expanding 'shakhas'. The second is a broader effort to connect with society, promote harmony and mobilise positive social forces for social transformation and public awareness.
Mukund said that Hindu Sammelans have already been organised at more than 36,000 places across the country. Many more such gatherings are planned in urban areas, rural regions and remote corners of the country. He added that the Sangh is also working to engage prominent citizens in different localities so that they can serve as community leaders and contribute to social initiatives.
Among others, BJP president Nitin Nabin and presidents and senior functionaries of 32 affiliated organisations are expected to attend the three-day meeting.
Mukund said that to promote social harmony, the organisation is working at the block level with local community leaders, heads of spiritual organisations and leaders of religious institutions.
He said the aim is to collectively discuss and implement positive initiatives that can bring about meaningful social reform. According to him, the Sangh has identified five key transformations, which represent the changes it believes society currently needs.
Speaking about Naxal-affected areas, Mukund said the situation is gradually returning to normal due to the efforts of the government. He also said that political stability is slowly returning in Manipur. He noted that discussions involving people from different communities, castes and prominent sections of society are helping improve the situation, and the Sangh has also contributed to these efforts.
Mukund added that the situation in Bangladesh remains difficult. Therefore, the Sangh has urged the government there to take all necessary steps to safeguard the rights and interests of Hindus. When asked about the conflict in West Asia, he said the organisation and the Indian society hope that the crisis will end soon.
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar said the organisation is marking its centenary year.
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