NEWS ROUND-UP—1

—Bhaiyaji Joshi

RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi reiterated that the Sangh is strongly against religion-based reservation in the country. “RSS supports reservation for SCs/STs and other backward communities, but we will oppose any form of reservation based on religion. Even Dr Ambedkar had demanded reservation on the basis of caste, and not on the basis of religion. There are attempts in the country to politicise reservation for political gain. The society should be aware of all such attempts,” he said while talking to mediapersons in Hubli, North Karnataka, on January 27.

He said the RSS would continue to fight against corruption at national and State levels. “We are not targeting any individual in this fight and the fight is on as a cause,” he said. Shri Joshi said there are many challenges before the country. Terrorism is the most affecting challenge and the entire North-East and Kashmir region is suffering from it since decades. It has made the life of common man miserable. “Separatist movements in Kashmir, infiltration in border areas, caste-based discrimination, poverty and illiteracy are some of the other challenges that the country is facing today. Christian Missionaries are taking advantage of few of these factors and are taking undue benefit from these opportunities for conversions. The Sangh has already begun its activities in several slums and Vanvasi areas of the country. These efforts are not to compete with missionaries, but to strengthen the life of backward communities,” Shri Bhaiyaji said.

Answering a question on RSS’s role in upliftment of SCs, Vanvasis and backward communities, he said the RSS began its works for Vanvasi upliftment in 1952 when Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram was started in Jashpur Nagar, presently in Chattisgarh. Now, we have work among Vanvasis, SCs, STs, other backward class through the activities of Samarasata Manch and other like-minded Sangh initiatives.”

RSS Kshetra Sanghachalak Justice (retd) Parvath Rao, Prant Karvavah Shri Arvind Desh-pande, Prant Sanghachalak Shri Khageshan Pattanashetti and senior leader Shri V Nagaraj were also present at the press meet.

(By VSK Karnataka)