Chandigarh: Agriculture minister of Haryana State, Mr. Om Prakash Dhankar said that state-funded gyms would be used as “RSS Shakhas”. He said this at the inauguration function of the gymnasium in Panchkula.
According to the report published in India Today, Government of Haryana aims to build gymnasiums in every village. These gymnasiums would be built on the two-acre Panchayati lands. This facility would be meant for youth to practice yoga, wrestling and games like volleyball and kabaddi etc.
It may be mentioned that earlier Mr. Ram Bilas Sharma, Education Minister also gave the similar statement. He said that gyms would also be used as RSS Shakhas.
It is also reported that Mr. Karan Dev Kamboj, Food and Supplies Minister supported Mr. Dhankar. Mr. Karan said that there is nothing wrong in making use of gyms as Shakhas.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anil Vij, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister questioned, “what is the harm?”.
It may be noted that there is a target of opening 1000 gymnasiums. Out of 1000, setting up of 300 gyms are completed.
Reacting to the statement of Mr. Dhankar, opposition said that it is an attempt of Haryana government to promote the ideology of RSS. Mr. Karan Singh Dalal, Haryana Congress MLA heavily criticized the State Government. Mr. Praveen Attrey, State Spokesperson, Indian National Lok Dal also raised questions in this matter. He said that as these gyms are government property, how a private organization, RSS can utilize it.