RSS to launch mobilisation programmes

With key elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab next year, the RSS affiliates are set to launch major mass outreach programme in the coming months in a bid to help the BJP build campaign in poll bound states. The saffron outfits in a host of programmes, which include issues of nationalism and 350 birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, are seeking to mobilise people on a large scale in UP and Punjab, besides other regions.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal with the help of the RSS functionaries would launch a week long programme from August 24 to fan out to the rural areas of the country. “We are asking our volunteers to camp in villages and talk to the people there about our ideologies and programmes. The programme called Satsang Darshan will seek to bridge the rural and urban gap. Our functionaries with bases in towns will reside in the villages for one whole week,” said Mr Champat Rai international general secretary of the VHP.

The saffron outfits will also launch a six-month-long campaign across the country on the issue of nationalism. “We want to educate the youth and make them aware why India was divided and who all were responsible. We will inform the people why Hindus had to leave cities like Lahore, Peshawar and Dhaka, which is now being replicated in Kairana in western UP,” said Mr Rai, who added that the VHP and Bajrang Dal would also launch a week long programme for blood donation to government hospitals from November 2 to mark the mobilisation for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya in 1992.

The BJP, incidentally, is also building campaign in UP on issue of the alleged exodus of Hindus from Kairana. Mr Rai said that his organisation would hold programmes at 5,000 places in the country with population of more than one lakh each on the issue of cow protection.

With the VHP completing 51 years of formation, Mr Rai said that his organisation would launch a programme from November 13 to connect with at least 51 lakh families. “We will seek Rs 20 each donation from 51 lakh families and enlist their support for our various programmes,” said Mr Rai.

In the month of January, Mr Rai said his organisation would launch the commemoration of 350 years of the birth of Guru Gobind Singh by highlighting his struggle to protect the honour of Hindus from the Muslim rulers of the country in his times.