Mumbai, Nov 5 (PTI): Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has claimed that its popularity among the youth was on the rise, as 65 per cent of its shakhas in Maharashtra were composed of members between the age group of 12 and 18 years.

Shakha is a place where RSS volunteers gather every day and currently, there were 50,432 shakhas across the country.

As per the RSS data, out of the 3,429 shakhas spread over four regions of Maharashtra-- Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Devgiri and Vidarbha-- 2,229 are 'Bal and Tarun Samyukta Shakha' (Children and Youth Joint Shakhas) for the members between the age group of 12 and 18.

120 of the total shakhas in the state have members between the age of 18 and 40, which together with Children and Youth Joint Shakhas comprise 68 per cent (2,349 out of 3,429 Shakhas) of the total shakhas.

The shakhas with members over 40 years of age comprise around 32 per cent (1,080 out of total 3,429 shakhas) of the total number in Maharashtra, the data said. These figures have helped the RSS to dispel the "allegation" that the organisation was not present among the youth.

Satish Modh, Sanghchalak of Konkan region of RSS told PTI, "Only nine per cent of our shakhas (4,551 out of the total 50,432 at the national level) comprise members over 60 years of age. These figures themselves prove that we are fast becoming popular among the youth and this trend is more likely to go up in the near future."

He said that as per the figures till September this year, there were 50,432 RSS shakhas at 31,840 locations across the country. "The number would considerably go up by March next year," he added.