RSS invites envoys for centenary-year dialogue with Bhagwat

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), parent organisation of the ruling BJP, has invited envoys from nearly 50 embassies, including the US, China, Russia, the UK, the UAE and South Africa, for a special interaction with its chief Mohan Bhagwat later this week. Bhagwat is expected to brief the guests on the mission and goals of the Sangh.

The outreach, part of the RSS’ centenary-year celebrations, is being described by volunteers as a “historic and landmark civil society initiative”. The organisation, founded in 1925, completes 100 years this October.

The event, titled “100 Years of RSS Journey: New Horizons”, is scheduled in New Delhi between August 26 and 28. Diplomats from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Japan are also expected to attend. However, envoys from Pakistan and Bangladesh have not been invited, sources said.

Coordination meet with affiliates in Sept

The RSS has called a coordination meeting with all its 32 affiliates, including the BJP, from September 5 to 7 in Jodhpur. The annual meeting for national coordination between Sangh organisations will discuss the major announcements Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made in his Independence Day address, including the constitution of a demography mission to prevent the ongoing rapid demographic alterations, especially in border areas. Financial reforms the Prime Minister flagged on August 15 will also be discussed. Sunil Ambekar, RSS national communications head, said all organisations would present their assessment of currently prevailing social and political situation. “In the meeting, essential issues from the perspective of national unity, security and social issues will be discussed threadbare. Necessary steps will also be taken to establish mutual coordination,” said Ambekar.

According to sources, invitations have been sent to leaders from across the political spectrum, including the Congress. While names of Congress invitees were not disclosed, BJP and NDA representatives slated to attend include ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and Jyotiraditya Scindia, TDP’s Ram Mohan Naidu, Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel and JD(U) leaders KC Tyagi and Sanjay Jha.

The dialogue with Bhagwat will be held in four phases, beginning with Delhi-NCR, followed by Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Invitations have gone out under 17 categories and 138 sub-categories, RSS functionaries said.

“At these dialogues, the RSS chief will share the organisation’s philosophy, experiences of the past 100 years, the challenges confronting the nation and the Sangh’s approach to addressing them. Among politicians, we have invited leaders who may not be fully familiar with the ideals of the RSS,” said Sunil Ambekar, the RSS’ all-India media chief.