Mumbai: As the election is near, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has asked its cadres not to lose focus on ‘core values’ of the party. The message, according to RSS functionaries reads: ‘don’t lose focus on the “core values” of the organisation’.
The message is reportedly sent to make sure BJP gives its best to rectify its internal concerns before 2019 general election. According to a senior functionary, the core values stand for; “recognition of indigenous talent and production, preservation of traditions and languages, rooting out casteism and correcting historic perceptions that showed India in poor light.”
During the annual meeting in March, the RSS claimed its activities have extended up to 95 % in the country. From 29,624 locations in 2014, the daily shakha gatherings are now held in 37,190 locations. The rise in numbers of Sangh members was attributed to ‘hard work’ by RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi.
Hindustan Times cites RSS watcher and author Walter Andersen saying: ‘there was some churn within the Sangh on core issues being put on the backburner for the sake of political expediency’. He referred to the issue of abrogation of Article 370 that gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, which is not being pursued by the BJP, that RSS consider a core demand. Andersen also spoke about the tension between the RSS and the BJP in Goa.
“Though senior Sangh leaders have been asking the volunteers to focus on the Sanghatan (organisation) rather than the Sarkar (government), the cadre will do whatever is required to. There is no disagreement over larger issues. Also, the cadre has lent their support to PM Modi for his administrative skills and corruption-free governance,” said the functionary.