Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Oct 3: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) south zone executive member, Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, asserted that those who join the organization as activists need not be apprehensive, as RSS does not engage in imposing its ideologies and brainwashing its cadres.
He was speaking after releasing a book in Kannada, 'Rashtriya Punaruthana Bilalu-Holahu' authored by senior RSS functionary, Ka Sri Nagaraj. This function was held at 'Keshava Kripa', RSS headquarters in the city, on Sunday October 2.
"Some people keep claiming that those who join RSS undergo indoctrination to make them accept RSS ideologies and principles without questioning. There are those who swear that RSS activists begin to openly declare themselves as staunch Hindus within two months of joining it. A child does not need to be taught to address its mother as mom. Her affection, sacrifice, and care makes the child to address her so. RSS conducts 'Baithaks' on four days in a week, 'Boudhik' on one day, and rendering of songs and prayers on the other two days. There is nothing wrong if a Hindu claims himself to be so. There is no element of brainwashing in it," he added.
He recalled that former Prime Minister, the late Jawaharlal Nehru, had passed a resolution at the Congress convention held in 1929 to get independence for united India. As per the call given by Nehru, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedagewar, who founded RSS, had celebrated 'independence for united India in thousands of branches of RSS in the country, he said.
"Hedagewar was jailed twice for his participation in freedom movement. 43,000 RSS activists had courted arrest by taking part in non-cooperation movement, salt Satyagraha, and Quit India movement. In the fight against imposition of emergency, 73,000 RSS workers were jailed. Many who are unaware of RSS role in freedom movement, keep claiming that RSS had no role in ensuring that the country got free of its shackles," Bhat explained.
Columnist, Dr Na Someshwar, author, Ka Sri Nagaraj, additional director general of southern zone of Doordarshan Kendra, Dr Mahesh Joshi, were present.