Mumbai: Sunil Ambekar, a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary on Wednesday called BJP president JP Nadda’s remarks claiming that the saffron party had become self-sufficient and had stopped depending on the RSS, a “family matter”.
RSS senior functionary, Sunil Ambekar said “family matters are not discussed in public” when asked about RSS-BJP conflict
“We solve family matters like family matters. Such topics are not discussed in public forums,” Mr. Ambekar, the RSS’s Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, responded when asked if Mr. Nadda’s remarks caused a conflict between the BJP and the Sangh.
In a May media interview, Mr. Nadda stated that the BJP has grown from the time it required the RSS to the present day, when it is “saksham” (competent) and manages its own business. He had claimed that the RSS operates on its own and is an “ideological front.”
Speaking at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai, Mr. Ambekar asserted that even if individuals join the Sangh with the intention of gaining political power, their affiliation with the group causes them to instantly begin doing good work.
Many people who wish to do something good approach the RSS every day, according to Mr. Ambekar. According to him, many people in the IT industry also contact RSS because they feel compelled to help others.
RSS leader on India’s strengths and weaknesses
In response to a question about India’s strengths and weaknesses during the last ten years, Mr. Ambekar stated that the world today acknowledges India’s strength and potential in fields like economy and science.
People used to believe that this country had no future. Bharat has the potential and there seems to be a good chance of rising now, according to Ambekar.
On the other hand, there are a lot of sociological difficulties. There are still issues with social inequality and some rifts in society. For societal cohesion, we must put forth a lot of effort,” he stated.
Earlier, Mr. Ambekar claimed that numerous organizations have reported on the “very worrisome” religious conversions occurring in Tamil Nadu, particularly by missionaries.
Mr. Ambekar said in response to a question regarding the assertion, “We have noticed that the religious conversion in Tamil Nadu state is being encouraged through various ways and some people have taken some political angle also.”
“Forcing or luring someone to change to a different religion is wrong, the society opposes it, and the RSS stands with such society,” he continued.
On caste-based census
When asked about the Congress party’s insistence on a national census based on caste, he responded, “Caste prevented some individuals from advancing in life. It represents a flaw in our culture. There is nothing wrong with the welfare programs that every government implements. For such a scheme, you need some data. Nonetheless, it is improper to use this practice as a political tool, and campaigning on it is inappropriate.”
On Manipur Violence
Regarding the ethnic conflict-ridden state of Manipur, Mr. Ambekar stated, “It is a serious matter, and it is serious for everyone in the country. Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the RSS, has also voiced concerns over the condition of that state.”
There, RSS personnel are actively working to bring back peace. He stated that attempts are being made to find a solution.
Regarding RSS’s activities in Manipur, he stated, “Our goal is to reach as many people as possible. Both publicly and informally, we have made representations to the local government. There is no easy fix when there is this degree of deep mistrust. I have faith that individuals will be able to connect on a societal level. It is crucial for the government to prevent people from carrying weapons.”
On women participation in RSS
When asked why there aren’t any high-ranking female positions in the organization, he replied, “On the ground, the RSS shakhas are exclusively for boys. However, since the 1930s, the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, an all-women’s RSS group, has been carrying out the same tasks as the RSS. The RSS is organized around shakha. This structure is for the man-making process.”