NEW DELHI: When RSS holds its annual three-day Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagaur, Rajasthan, BJP’s ideological fountainhead is likely to take a leap from its flappy khaki shorts to trousers. Suggestions have also come for changing the trademark khaki to blue or grey, keeping in the mind sensibilities of the new generation, which RSS says is flocking to its shakhas. RSS sources said the issue has been discussed since last year’s annual conference in Nagpur. RSS has allowed track pants in its shakhas for IT professionals.
RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya said that the issue will be discussed during the meet, which decides future programmes of the Sangh. The event will be have over 1,200 representatives of its frontal organisations and will be inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
All eyes will be on the conference in the backdrop of the current national debate over the alleged ‘anti-nationalism’ in JNU. Sangh sources said that political happenings will be discussed and resolutions on socio-political issues will be adopted to give clarity of the thought to the larger saffron family, BJP, and the government. BJP leaders, including party chief Amit Shah, will attend the meeting.
RSS’ reach has increased after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government took over in 2014, with the number of shakhas jumping to over 51,000 in 2015.
Vaidya said that the meet will also witness innovative work done by RSS units, which will be replicated across the country. During the last meet, RSS had focussed on Dalits, harmony in families and expanding its reach to all mandals and village levels.
Among the key groups that will participate will be the Sangh’s frontal bodies such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh, Vidya Bharati, Rashtra Sevika Samithi, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Bharat Vikas Parishad. Other groups with special focus such as Sakshama (that work for the blind), Seema Suraksha Parishat (committed to boosting confidence among people of border districts) and Poorva Sainika Parishat (working for retired soldiers) will be represented in the meet.