Nearly two weeks after the NDA government lifted the ban on government servants participating in RSS activities, the July 9 order surfaced on social media, sparking widespread controversy and political reactions.
Even as the opposition parties reacted sharply to the decision by the Narendra Modi government, the senior functionaries of the RSS stated that government employees with the idea and willingness to contribute to “nation building” have always supported the Sangh and its social work despite the ban that was only “on paper”.
They claimed that the governments that ruled India post-Independence enforced three bans on the RSS depending on their political interest, but the organisation never “ceased to exist”, instead it “flourished” with more “patriots” joining in.
The RSS veterans said that the order existed on paper as all “nationalists” and “patriots”, including government servants, have “always acknowledged” the contribution of the RSS in “nation building” and they never hesitated to participate in the social activities of the RSS.
The RSS, issuing a statement, appreciated and welcomed the Centre’s move as the government formally lifted the ban.
“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been continuously engaged in the reconstruction of the nation and the service of society for the past 99 years. Due to the RSS’s contributions in times of national security, unity-integrity, and natural disasters, the various types of leadership in the country have, from time to time, praised the role of the RSS. Due to their political self-interests, the then-government unjustly prohibited government employees from participating in the activities of a constructive organisation like the RSS,” said Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, RSS.
“The recent decision of the government is appropriate and will strengthen the democratic system of Bharat,” he further added.
“The order was archaic, and it is commendable that the current administration has done away with it,” said a senior central committee member of the RSS, reacting to the government’s order lifting the ban on government employees attending RSS programs.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress and others came down heavily on decision of the government to lift the 58-year-old ban, while some opposition politicians said they were “surprised”.
