Adopts brown trousers to ‘move with the times’
Adopts brown trousers to ‘move with the times’
The RSS has finally decided to “move with the times” and let go of its traditional “ganvesh” (uniform) of trademark khaki shorts with brown trousers. Since its inception in 1925, this will be the fourth major change in the RSS’ uniform after white shirt, canvas shoes and belt. But for many of the Sangh’s old guard, the khaki shorts are a reminder of its “glorious legacies and history”. The decision was taken at the RSS’ Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) conclave, that ended on Sunday at Nagaur in Rajasthan.
On the concluding day of the three-day conclave, replying to questions, the RSS said it should be ascertained if the backward classes, which need reservations, were actually getting the benefits. It also attacked the demands for quotas by the “affluent” sections, in an apparent reference to the recent Jat quota agitation in Haryana.
The RSS also decried restrictions on the entry of women in certain temples as “unfair”, against the backdrop of some cases highlighted through recent agitations in Maharashtra. Describing as a “serious matter” the raising of anti-national slogans at JNU and other universities, the RSS also attacked senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad for comparing it with terrorist outfit ISIS.
“We always move with the times. We are not rigid. No organisation which is not flexible cannot progress,” said RSS general secretary Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi in Nagaur on changing khaki shorts to brown trousers. He said “small changes” have been taking place in the RSS, but “this is the change which is noticeable”.
Pitching for social harmony, the RSS said members of the “Hindu community are responsible” for caste-based discrimination and “we need to eradicate it” for social justice, while invoking B.R. Ambedkar.
Disapproving of quota demands by “affluent” sections, Mr Joshi said the provisions of reservation made by Dr Ambedkar were for social justice and that concept should be kept in mind by those demanding reservations today.
Describing “caste-based discrimination” as a “matter of concern”, the RSS leader said members of the Hindu community were responsible for it but “now we need to eradicate it”. He said a message needs to be conveyed that there should be “no discrimination, atrocities against anyone and social harmony should be maintained”.
He also said there should be a proper study to ascertain if the backward classes, which really need reservations, were actually getting the benefits. “Baba Ambedkar gave the provision of reservation. It was for social justice. Today the level of education of dalit class has improved. There are many backward castes today. It should be studied and discussed whether the deserving castes are getting reservation benefits. This issue should be studied,” he said, adding: “It is also a matter of detailed discussion whether or not the creamy layer system should be there in all categories.”
RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat had to face Opposition flak when he made remarks on the reservation issue last year, where he suggested a review of the system. In the wake of Mr Bhagwat’s remarks, the BJP badly lost the Assembly elections in Bihar, where caste politics plays an important role.
RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha said the RSS had clarified the meaning of its “suggestion to review reservations”. He said: “It is to make reservation qualitative, more effective and its benefit should reach to larger masses among SCs, STs and OBCs. The rat race for reservations among the affluent castes is undesirable and unacceptable. Moreover, there is also need to rationalise the system... The affluent must pave the way for those who cannot get opportunities and benefits of reservations.” Mr Sinha described the change in uniform as a “sign of a vibrant organisation”.
