Strengthens democratic system: RSS leader on allowing govt staff to take part in its activities

NEW DELHI: Reacting to an order reportedly issued by the Ministry of Personnel that permits government servants to take part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the organisation, Sunil Ambekar, said that it “strengthens the democratic system of India”.

Welcoming the decision of the central government, Ambekar said, “The present decision of the government is appropriate and strengthens the democratic system of India.”

The RSS Prachar Pramukh pointed out that the erstwhile government had “baselessly” banned the organization owing to its “political interests”. “Due to its political interests, the then government had baselessly banned the government employees from participating in the activities of a constructive organisation like the Sangh,” he said.

राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ गत 99 वर्षों से सतत राष्ट्र के पुनर्निर्माण एवं समाज की सेवा में संलग्न है। राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा, एकता-अखंडता एवं प्राकृतिक आपदा के समय में समाज को साथ लेकर संघ के योगदान के चलते समय-समय पर देश के विभिन्न प्रकार के नेतृत्व ने संघ की भूमिका की प्रशंसा भी की… pic.twitter.com/MxRelxOyU4

— RSS (@RSSorg) July 22, 2024

Ambekar said that the RSS has been involved in reconstructing the nation and its role in the last 99 years, in stregthening national security, unity-integrity has been praised from time to time.

“For the last 99 years, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been continuously involved in the reconstruction of the nation and service to the society. Due to the contribution of the Sangh in national security, unity-integrity and taking the society along during times of natural disaster, various types of leadership of the country have also praised the role of the Sangh from time to time”, the Prachar Pramukh said.

The controversial order has set off a war of words between the opposition and the BJP. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya on Monday said that the “unconstitutional order” issued 58 years ago imposing a ban on government employees from taking part in RSS activities has been withdrawn by the central government.

The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on Govt employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi Govt. The original order shouldn’t have been passed in the first place.

The ban was imposed… pic.twitter.com/Gz0Yfmftrp

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 22, 2024

“The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on government employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi government. The original order shouldn’t have been passed in the first place”, Malviya stated on X on Monday citing the July 9 order.

“The ban was imposed because, on November 7, 1966, there was a massive anti-cow slaughter protest at the Parliament. RSS-Jana Sangh mobilised support in lakhs. Many died in police firing. On 30 Nov 1966, shaken by the RSS-Jana Sangh clout, Indira Gandhi banned Govt staff from joining the RSS”, he added.

Reacting to the issue, AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that the order was against India’s integrity and unity, adding that no civil servant can be loyal to the nation if he is a member of RSS.

“This office memo purportedly shows that the government has lifted the ban on government employees participating in RSS activities. If true, this is against India’s integrity and unity. The ban on RSS exists because it refused to accept the constitution, the national flag and the national anthem. Every RSS member takes an oath that puts Hindutva above the nation. No civil servant can be loyal to the nation if he is a member of RSS”, Owaisi posted on X. (ANI)