RSS likely to debate CAA-NRC at its annual meet

Weddings, engagements and public events cancelle but not RSS meet

BENGALURU: In what seems to be an effort to expand its “idealogical footprints” among the young, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has conducted a survey of as many as 15 lakh youngsters in the age group of 18 to 30 years across India.With a questionarie of about 10 to 15 queries to be answered by the youngsters, the RSS has said it has gone to every corner of the nation to conduct the survey with two primary intentions of:1) How to be a dutiful citizen and 2) How best can he or she can contribute to society.Ahead of the 2020 Akhila Bharatiya Prathinidhi Sabha (ABPS) meet— the highest decision making body of RSS—scheduled from Sunday for three days, the Akhila Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh (All India Media in-charge) Arun Kumar said the survey was carried out on a continuous basis across the nation, apart from a one month intensive drive, earlier last year.“The survey was to understand the youth and the time available with them to contribute towards society. These youngsters are the future of the nation and we are looking at them to help us build a better country,” said Kumar, saying the survey was conducted in proportion of the population of each state in the country.According to RSS functionaries, the survey was part of a drive called as “Taruna Udyogi Swayamsevak Sarvekshan”.The drive was to identify these youngsters who were part of the Shakas or attended RSS training camps conducted each year.“Now, our intent is to identify these youngsters who can contribute to their surroundings and activate them. For example, if the survey was carried out in a tribal belt then these youngsters will be asked as to how best they can contribute to their environment and surroundings. The same will be asked of a youngster in urban parts of the state but with the context of the surroundings,” said Kumar.RSS functionaries say the survey was conducted with the primary intent of having the youngsters contribute and give ideas in three main sectors of the Sangh parivar activities, namely: 1) Education, 2) Health Sector and 3) Financial Empowerment.“Now, with the report ready, we will be discussing the survey findings at our summit and explore ways to best utilise the services of the young,” said Kumar.With a three day event of the Akhila Bharatiya Prathinidhi Sabha (ABPS)— highest decision making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)— scheduled from March 15 to 17, it is likely the Sangh parivar will discuss the raging issue of National Registery of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).Speaking on Friday, the national media in-charge of RSS, Arun Kumar said: “While the agenda for the meet will be decided on Friday, after an initial meeting of 400-odd senior members of the Sangh Parivar, there will be a discussion on the contemporary issues prevailing in the country. This may include the NRC-CAA topic that has created a lot of noise.”Even as chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday afternoon announced that all sporting events, weddings, engagement ceremonies and entertainment centres (including malls and cinemas), apart from meets and seminars will be cancelled from March 14, for a period of one week, the RSS Akhila Bharatiya Prathinidhi Sabha (ABPS) will continue as per schedule.According to RSS functionaries, though as many as 1,500 members are expected to attend the ABPS event for a three day period, all guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 have been adhered to.“We have an entire screening section for Covid-19, with requisite doctors and nursing staff. All the delegates will be screened at the centre before the gathering,” said an RSS functionary.The RSS has said it has not recieved any formal communique from the state government to shutdown its event.