The Sangh's vision and direction in its centenary year

During the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections, the role of the RSS and its bittersweet relations with the Bharatiya Janata Party were much discussed.

- ALOK MEHTA

Now the RSS has started celebrating the centenary year of its establishment. The RSS has set a target in its centenary year to increase the number of its branches to one lakh across the country.

Its branches are not to be established in cities and towns, but to spread their roots in villages. The RSS agenda of social harmony is important, through which Hindus scattered in castes are to be united. In this context, the RSS and the BJP have also emphasized on seeing their vision, direction and relations in the right perspective on the issues related to temple, mosque, Hindu and Muslim.

It is clear from the public statements of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that there is no difference between them. It is a different matter that they have been independently active in the work of their respective organizations and governments and want to remain so in the future too. Just as there have been deep differences and even divisions in the parties among Arya Samaj, Hindu Mahasabha, Congress, Communist, Socialist ideology and many of their leaders and workers, similarly there have been some extremists in RSS or BJP also and even now their statements and activities are causing confusion, controversy and to some extent harm to the society and the nation.