NEW DELHI: The RSS on Friday said the BJP-NDA Government has time till 2019 to fulfil its election promises.
A senior RSS functionary said that the government was to set its priorities towards fulfilling the promises made by the party in its election manifesto, such that the livelihood problems of a common man are resolved.
The RSS is holding its three-day annual meeting -- Akhil Bhartiya Karyakarini Mandal (ABKM) -- in Lucknow, which is being attended by top Sangh leaders including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Also in attendance is BJP president Amit Shah.
“The government has its own priorities and will work according to it...It has ample time till 2019,” RSS joint general secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale told reporters after the meeting. He added, “Ram Temple has been listed on the agenda of the country and we support the VHP and religious leaders on the issue of the construction of Ram temple.”
During the media interaction, RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya attacked those who opposed Doordarshan’s live telecast of Bhagwat’s address to cadre on October 3. He said that historian Ramachandra Guha and other comrades had created a needless controversy over the live telecast of Bhagwat’s address.
Referring to the Sangh’s views on other religions, Vaidya added that the RSS considers every Indian citizen as Hindus.
“It does not discriminate against anybody on the basis of their religious beliefs, caste or class,” Vaidya said adding that people from all walks of life and religious affiliations are joining the RSS.
Responding directly on the subject of Muslim association with the RSS, Vaidya said, “Muslims are coming to the Sangh Shiksha Vargas (training camps)... All Bhartiya citizens are equal in the RSS, irrespective of their class, caste or religion.”
“We have created the facility on our website for an individual to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Till 2012, around 1,000 people expressed their desire to join the RSS every month using this facility. This increased to 2,500 every month in 2013 and has now touched around 7,000 every month,” he said.