The decade old half-pants worn by RSS swayamsevaks could soon make way for trousers as the Sangh considers a new dress code to attract the youth. The decision came after some swayamsevaks wear a new uniform and paraded before RSS members, sources said.
The new design dress code includes a full-sleeve white shirt, pants, the proposed colours are khaki, navy blue, blue or grey black leather or rexene shoes, khaki socks, a canvas belt and a black cap.
Though here have been several discussions on getting rid of the khaki shorts, but older RSS workers, particularly ones from Maharashtra are strongly opposed to the idea. However “Sarsanghchalak (Mohan Bhagwat) and Sarkaryawah (Bhaiyyaji Joshi) are both in favour of a new dress code and feel we must change with time, sources said.
The debate will be taken forward in March next year to the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagaur — the highest decision making body of the RSS.
This is the first time the uniform would undergo such a major change. It is learnt that RSS is discussing how to implement the change based on availability of the new uniforms.
From the inception of the RSS in 1925 till 1939, the Sangh had an all-khaki uniform, but in 1940, white shirts were introduced. Leather shoes replaced long boots in 1973 and later rexene shoes were also allowed as an option.
It could take years to implement the decision once the new uniform is finalised, as there are 50,000 shakhas and 10 swayamsewaks in each shakha, which requires nearly 5 lakh new uniforms, an RSS worker said.