New Delhi, 22 March. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has expressed its clear stand regarding caste census. He says he supports it for welfare purposes, but opposes it being used to divide society.

RSS national publicity chief Sunil Ambekar said that the organization looks at the caste issue from the perspective of social harmony and not as conflict. He said, ‘If mutual love increases and discrimination ends, then even big problems can be solved. Without harmony, even small issues become big disputes.

Emphasis on social harmony

He said entry to temples, cremation grounds, water sources and public places should be open to all and RSS volunteers are working to address such concerns at the local level. Referring to organizations like Vidya Bharati, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Ekal Vidyalaya and Seva Bharati, he said that these organizations are part of a larger public relations network.

There is a need to further expand the role of women

On the issue of women’s participation, Ambekar defended the parallel system of ‘Rashtriya Sevika Samiti’, saying that it worked similar to the ‘shakha’ system of the RSS. At the same time, he also acknowledged the need to further expand the role of women. She said that women’s participation in decision-making processes and public relations campaigns is continuously increasing through a coordination mechanism called ‘Women’s Relations’.

What to say on relations with BJP?

On the relationship between RSS and BJP, Ambekar said that RSS is a social organization, which works on personality development. Regarding relations with BJP, he clarified that both the organizations work independently. Ambekar described Hindutva as a ‘unifying idea’ and said that it is based on principles like ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which strengthens unity in diversity. India’s model is society-centric whereas the West’s model is state-centric.