Following is an official statement issued by the RSS on 14 March, 2023 . This is based on a press conference addressed by its Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale in presence of its Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh (All India Pubicity Chief) Sunil Ambekar and the latter’s two deputies Alok Kumar and Narendra Thakur .
Here is the official statement that summed up proceedings of its highest decision making body Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha(broadly translated as All India Representative Council). Its popularly known as ABPS. To know more about ABPS, please visit the FAQ section.
“The annual meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the RSS’s most important body, concluded here today. At a press conference, Sarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale Ji condoled the death of Dr. Ved Pratap Vaidik and paid tributes to the famous journalist who passed away early this morning.
He informed that an important resolution was passed in view of the RSS’s future endeavours towards national regeneration, even as the annual report was reviewed. This resolution will provide direction to the society as India marches ahead confidently during the ongoing Amrit Kaal and as the RSS approaches its centenary in 2025. At a time when India is taking bold steps on the path to global leadership, citizens need to be vigilant of those looking to impede Bharat’s progress.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the entire society will continue to work to remove all the obstacles coming in the way of the nation’s resurgence, Sarkarvah Ji emphasized. The narrative about the country should change as we march ahead in this Amrit Kaal, and answers to questions pertaining to India should emanate from India only, he added. Distorted history should be replaced by correct history, so that the countrymen can take pride in their heritage. Art, literature and other expressions of creativity should reflect contemporaneity.
In addition to the resolution, three important statements were issued, one each on completion of the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, the 350th year of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the 2550th year of Nirvana of Mahavir Swami.
The centenary year of the RSS starts from the Vijayadashami of 2025, but the ABPS did not firm up any plan of action for the landmark event. However, the Sabha has chalked out a strategy to expand the Sangh’s footprint, and ramp up its quality of service activity. The Swayamsevaks of Shakhas will study the social realities of villages and settlements, and work towards addressing their problems by involving the local communities. Such experiments and endeavours are already being made, and were discussed in the ABPS meeting, which had started on March 12 in Samalkha’s Pattikalyana-based Seva Sadhna evam Gram Vikas Kendra.
In the coming months, the RSS will aim to focus on five dimensions of social transformation. These five dimensions include social harmony, family values, ecological conservation, Swadeshi (bharatiya) conduct, and civic duty. In this regard, he stressed that the aim of this action plan is to strengthen the voice against discrimination in the society and make constant efforts for harmony. In response to a question, he made it clear in unequivocal terms that untouchability is a disgrace to the society, and that the RSS is committed to eradicating it.
The RSS remains concerned about the prevailing population imbalance, an issue that has found a mention in the Supreme Court also. Former chief election commissioner T.N. Seshan, and Mahatma Gandhi had also talked about this, the Sarkaryawah said, while replying to questions from the journalists.
On the question of Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the RSS and his statement about democracy being in danger in India, Sarkaryavah Ji advised that a senior parliamentarian like him should talk more responsibly. Moreover, those who did not even apologize for the imposing Emergency in the country have no moral right to talk about democracy.
He once again affirmed that the RSS’s idea of Hindu Rashtra envisions a cultural nation, different from the concept of ‘State’ with geo-political boundaries. When seen from this perspective, there is no doubt that Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra.
On the question of same-sex marriage, he asserted that the Sangh is of the firm belief that marriage is a sacred ritual that takes place between a man and a woman. This is because the purpose of marriage is the larger interest of the society, and not carnal pleasure.
Bharat’s economy is growing at a rapid pace, its influence and profile is rising in the strategic and diplomatic spheres. At this juncture, the entire society needs to come together and work for achieving all-round development. There are several forces, both in Bharat and abroad, that want to stop Bharat from moving forward on this path. But, unitedly and with the spirit of ‘Swa’, we shall render these forces ineffective, and ensure Bharat’s rejuvenation and resurgence.
Pratinidhis (representatives) from different Prants (states) of the country brainstormed in the ABPS meeting that lasted for three days. The annual report was presented on the first day of the meeting, which showed that the number of Shakhas has increased from 62,000 to 68,000. By next year, the RSS aims to increase this to one lakh. It was also decided to organize a Parivaar Milan (family get-together) in the Shakhas every three months. Sunil Ambekar, the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Narendra Thakur, and Alok Kumar were also present at today’s press conference.”