Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 18: T S Venkatesh, coordinator of RSS public relations cell, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, on Thursday February 18 said that everyone irrespective of caste and creed was welcome to be part of RSS, provided that they agree with RSS' ideology that those who live in India are Hindus.
He was responding to a question on bringing minorities into RSS, asked by a reporter during an interactive session held with media persons organized by Mangaluru unit of RSS at a private hotel here on Thursday.
"We will not go and call them (minorities), but if they want to join RSS, they are welcome. There is no objection from RSS. However, this is a Hindu organization and it will work towards uniting Hindus. According to RSS, those who live in India are Hindus and even they should think on the same lines. If they do, we will welcome them with open arms. There are already people from minorities in the RSS," he said.
T S Venkatesh also made a powerpoint presentation on RSS and its affiliations. "There are 60 lac active RSS volunteers in the country. As per statistics of 2015, as many as 1,60,000 social service activities are undertaken by RSS and its affiliatins in the field of education, health, social service and economics in the entire India. There 55,000 shakhas for daily activities and in 13,000 places, weekly meets called Milan are held. About 9,000 people belonging to various professions who cannot attend daily or weekly meets come together once in a month," he explained, adding, "BBC has declared RSS as the largest organization in the world."
To a question on whether RSS would be changing its uniform, he said, "There are some who want a change in uniform, and others who do not. The issue may be taken up during the annual general body meeting of RSS to be held in Rajasthan and a decision will be made."
On the notion that those who join RSS become extremists, he said, "It is just an allegation made for political gains. RSS does not want to finish or destroy anyone. We want to work with unity towards building the nation and take everyone forward unitedly. Extremism is not our culture nor Hindu dharma."
Asked to comment on the alleged anti-India campaign in JNU and other universities, he said, "We are against anything that is anti-India. We condemn those who are against Bharat. If they have any problem let them speak out against the government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but not against India. We strongly condemn it. Entire India is against them, including the armed forces and even Congress activists have also criticized such behaviour."
On the issue of cow protection, he refused to be dragged into controversy and said, "We are concentrating on the development of Indian breed of cow. Catte protection is a vast subject. Even the economy is dependent on it."
On charges that RSS was getting 'guru dakshina' from corporates, he said, "We get guru dakshina not from corporates but RSS activists and volunteers. They can be from corporates or from slums, it is irrelevant where they are from. We accept whatever they offer."
To a question on why RSS had not raised its voice against issues such as SEZ, Yettinahole project and so on, he said, "RSS mainly works from its shakhas, and our affiiliations take up such issues. The BJP has taken up the issue of Yettinahole project. RSS is also concerned about the environment, but the core activity of RSS is only running the shakhas. Those who are trained in shakhas join various affiliations of RSS and work there."
Asked if ABVP had becom powerful in universities after BJP came to power, he said, "How can ABVP become powerful all of a sudden? It is a wrong notion. There is no big brother - neither BJP nor ABVP. If you understand Hindutva properly, you will not have any such concern. Stop viewing it from a narrow mentality."
On whether RSS accepts only people from upper caste, he said, "I can give you example from Gandhiji to Premji - many people came here and experienced what RSS is, and said there is no differentiation of caste or sect in RSS. All such allegations are for political gains. All Hindus are one."
To a question on Rashtriya Muslim Manch, Venkatesh said, "It is an autonomous body. Muslims who came forward to serve the society and the nation formed the Manch and RSS supported it. It is separate entity by itself."
He also said that only 40 percent of RSS volunteers come from urban areas and rest are from rural regions.