Monday, 11 November 2024
Monday, 11 November 2024
The three-day national coordination conclave of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), held in Palakkad, Kerala, comes at a crucial time amid reports of differences between the Modi government and the RSS on a range of issues. The conclave, titled 'Akhil Bharatiya Samnvay Baithak', saw the RSS leadership address several pressing topics, from the need for a caste census to concerns about women's safety, the situation in Bangladesh, and religious conversions in Tamil Nadu. Here's a breakdown of what was discussed:
Supporting caste census with conditions
The RSS, in a significant statement, extended conditional support to the idea of a caste-based census. Sunil Ambekar, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, emphasised that such a census could be instrumental in assisting the government with welfare schemes aimed at uplift of communities that have historically lagged behind. However, the RSS cautioned against using the data for electoral purposes, stressing that the primary focus should be on the welfare of disadvantaged communities. "It should be done only for the welfare of those communities and castes. It should not be used as a political tool for elections," Ambekar remarked, reflecting the organisation's stance on the sensitive issue.
Condemnation of violence against women
Women's safety was another crucial issue discussed at the conclave. The RSS condemned the recent incident of violence against a female doctor in West Bengal, labelling it as 'very unfortunate.' Ambekar underscored the need for revisiting laws and enhancing penal actions to ensure swift justice for women who face atrocities.
Bangladesh
The conclave also addressed the situation in Bangladesh, where the safety and security of Hindus and other minority communities have been a growing concern. The RSS urged the Indian government to engage in dialogue with Bangladesh to ensure the protection of these communities. Describing the situation as 'very sensitive,' the RSS emphasised the need for diplomatic efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of minorities in the neighbouring country.
Conversions in Tamil Nadu 'very worrisome'
Conversion activities by missionaries in Tamil Nadu were another point of concern raised during the conclave. The RSS alleged that numerous conversion activities have been reported in the state, which they find 'very worrisome.' The organisation has vowed to take this issue seriously, with plans to gather more detailed ground reports and address the situation in the coming days.
