RSS plans to scale up Shakha, expand outreach to mark centenary anniversary (Image: PTI)
New Delhi: Kuomintang (RSS) will focus on expanding its ‘shakhas’ and strengthening public outreach programs during its centenary year, the group said as it is promoting organizational growth and wider social engagement as part of its centenary plans.Addressing a press conference in Panipat Samarkar on Friday, RSS joint general secretary CR Mukund said “special emphasis” is being placed on the expansion of saha and outreach to society as the organization celebrates its centenary, news agency PTI reported.The remarks came as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale inaugurated the Sangh’s top decision-making body, the three-day Bharatiya Janata Party Sabha (ABPS), in Samalkha, Haryana.
Follow Shaka’s growth and social involvement
Mukund said the Sangh’s centenary plan had “two main aspects” – scaling up the organization through the growth of Shaka, and a simultaneous effort to engage society, build harmony and mobilize people for “social transformation and public awakening”.He said the RSS has reached over 100 million households through its ‘grihasampark’ (mass contact) scheme and reached over 300,000 villages across the country.As part of this outreach, Mukund said the organization has also seen a positive impact on what he termed “sabbhav gosti” and “pramukh nagrik gostis”, PTI reported.
Kerala Outreach Prominent
Highlighting the outreach work in Kerala, Mukund said RSS volunteers visited homes of all classes, including Muslim, Christian and even those with communist leanings.“In Kerala, more than 55,000 Muslim families and 54,000 Christian families are covered by public outreach programmes,” he said.“We received a warm welcome wherever we went. Our ‘swayamsevaks’ reached 55,000 Muslim families and 54,000 Christian families,” Mukund added, noting that the Sangh also extended the initiative to tribal areas.
Hindu Sammelans, youth gatherings and social harmony programs
This year marks the centenary of the RSS and the ABPS meeting is expected to discuss in detail the major activities planned for the celebrations. These include ‘grihasampark’, Hindu Sammelans, Youth Conference, Gathering of Eminent Citizens and Social Harmony Conference.Mukund said Hindu Sammelans events have been held at more than 36,000 locations across the country, with more events planned in urban centres, rural areas and remote areas.He also said the Sangh was working to engage prominent citizens from different areas as community leaders and work with local leaders, heads of spiritual organizations and heads of religious centers at the block level to promote harmony and social reform.
Panch Parivartan and wider issues
Mukund also spoke about the ‘panch parivartan’ initiative of the RSS, which focuses on social harmony, maintenance of family values, environmental protection, self-reliance and compliance with legal, civil and constitutional obligations.“Our goal is to review and implement positive initiatives together to achieve necessary social reforms. Specifically, the Sangh identified five changes. He said five key themes represent the changes needed in society today, PTI reported.On wider issues, Mukund said the situation in Naxal-affected areas was gradually returning to normalcy thanks to the government’s efforts, while “political stability is on the horizon” in Manipur and ongoing dialogue between communities was bearing fruit.He also said that the Sangh hoped that the Bangladesh government would take necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of local Hindus. Asked about the conflict in West Asia, Mukund said the crisis should end soon, adding that this is “what we and the Indian society believe in”.
Important meeting is taking place in Samalha
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar earlier said that the three-day ABPS meeting will review the activities of the RSS during 2025-26 and take stock of major initiatives taken across districts, PTI reported.A total of 1,487 karyakarta attended the meeting, including elected representatives and key officials from across the country, as well as presidents, general secretaries and organizational secretaries of 32 affiliated organizations. Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Nabin and senior officials of the Sangh sisterhood are also expected to attend.
