Daijiworld Media Network - Jabalpur

Jabalpur, Nov 1: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) national general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Saturday said that society has accepted the RSS as an organisation working for the nation’s unity, security, culture, and development, and it cannot be banned merely because a few political leaders demand it.

Reacting to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge’s call to ban the RSS, Hosabale said, “The entire society recognises the Sangh as a nationalist organisation. The RSS has been banned three times in the past, and everyone knows what happened later. Politicians should learn from past experiences before making such demands.”

Kharge had earlier reiterated his stance on the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stating that even Patel had prohibited government employees from participating in RSS activities.

Addressing the media on the concluding day of the three-day RSS national executive meeting in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Hosabale clarified that the relationship between the RSS and BJP has remained consistent. “Sangh’s swayamsevaks are present in every party, but their numbers are naturally higher in the BJP. RSS is an organisation of people, and we engage with all governments on issues of national and social interest,” he said.

On the issue of demographic imbalance, Hosabale stressed the need for a comprehensive population policy. He cited infiltration, religious conversions, and high population growth among certain communities as major causes of demographic concern. He also mentioned the growing issue of religious conversions in Punjab, especially among Sikhs, which he said must be addressed seriously.

Speaking about the situation in West Bengal, Hosabale said that the state continues to face unrest since the last elections. “Hatred and conflicts have increased due to the political leadership there. Keeping a border state unstable isn’t good for the nation. Our swayamsevaks are continuously working there for peace and social harmony,” he added.

On Manipur, he said the situation is gradually improving, noting that the RSS has been active in relief and rehabilitation work for the last two years. He appreciated the central government’s efforts and expressed hope for the restoration of a popular government in the state.

Hosabale also welcomed the surrender of Maoists in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, urging the government to address the local grievances in these regions with sensitivity.

The meeting, attended by 397 out of 407 delegates, also discussed the growing menace of drug abuse among youth, including students in reputed institutions like IIMs and IITs.

The three-day national executive focused on the RSS’s upcoming centenary celebrations, and its mission to connect every household with its Panch Parivartan initiative. Around 80,000 Hindu Sammelans are planned across the nation, along with Grih Sampark Abhiyan and Samajik Sadbhav meetings to promote unity and cultural awareness.

The RSS also released statements commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the 350th year of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, and the 150th year of the composition of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.