BHOPAL: The issue of Ram Mandir came up for discussion on the second day of the RSS Chintan Baithak here in which the participants, including senior functionaries from the RSS and allied organisations such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Swadesh Jagran Manch, demanded that Narendra Modi-led BJP Government should clarify its stance on the issue of the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The five-day meet, which started on Wednesday, also included an address from VHP leader Pravin Togadia on Friday. Togadia claimed that religious conversion and terrorism were the biggest threats facing the country today. Togadia, addressing over 400 delegates, said that it was a matter of concern that the Hindu community was being ‘framed’ in terrorism cases and pressed for ‘Hindu unity’ in the country.
The topic of Ram Mandir and Bhojshala too came up for discussion with members of Hindu Jagran Manch and Swadeshi Manch stating that the construction of the mandir cannot be compromised and demanded that the BJP Government should clear its stand on the matter.
As has been the convention in the past, this time too, the media has been barred from attending the meet, which is taking place at Dattopant Thengadi Bhawan here.
The meet is expected to go on till August 4. One of the issue that was deliberated upon by the delegates was increasing the number of ‘shakas’ and the ‘pracharaks’ in the coming year.
Sources in the RSS also said that the main discussion of the Baudhhik Vibhag (intellectual cell) would start on Friday evening during which RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is also expected to address the delegates.
“The RSS is like the guardian of the saffron party and we need to discuss issues which the Central government will come across in the future.
“The issue of Ramjanma Bhoomi, Article 370 and Hindu terror cannot be brushed inside the carpet,” said an RSS office bearer. According to him, there was concern among a section of delegates that the present government may deviate from the RSS line and hence there was a need to keep the pressure on the government.
The concern of these delegates, according to the functionary, stems from the fact that after coming to power, the government has allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) and has given its support to GM crops, something which has always been opposed by the RSS.
RSS sources said that the general feeling among the participating delegates is that the responsibility of the RSS has increased tremendously after the saffron party came in power at the Centre and hence, the RSS needs to monitor the government very closely.