Latest news with #RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Play on 3 RSS chiefs ‘Sangh Ganga Ke...' to be flagged off today
1 2 Nagpur: As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) commemorates its centenary year, a special drama titled 'Sangh Ganga Ke Teen Bhagirath' on its first three chiefs is set to be staged across Maharashtra. The two-act play will be staged starting from June 22, offering a compelling and dramatic retelling of the Sangh's century-long journey or Shatabdi Sangh Yatra. This initiative will be formally inaugurated with a Flag Ceremony on Saturday, June 21 at 1pm, at Jamnalal Bajaj Hall, Barrister Abhyankar Smarak Trust, Dhantoli. The ceremony will feature city leaders and RSS affiliates, including MLAs Pravin Datke and Mohan Mate, MLC Sandeep Joshi, and Prasanna Hardas, national committee member of Krida Bharti. Starting June 22, the two-and-a-half-hour play will be performed at multiple cities across Maharashtra, highlighting the rich legacy of the RSS through the lives of its first three Sarsanghchalaks — Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, visionary founder; MS Golwalkar, affectionately known as Guruji, who expanded the Sangh nationally; and Balasaheb Deoras, who introduced significant organisational reforms and broadened public engagement. Blending narration, dramatization, music, and audiovisual elements, the play aims to vividly showcase key milestones in RSS history while bringing to life its foundational ideals of seva (service), discipline, and nation-building. Entry to these events is free for all. The event is coordinated by the Tararani Foundation and supported by Vishwaraj Environment Ltd. (By Krisha Panchmatia)
United News of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
RSS has evolved into a respected global outfit: Maha Guv
Mumbai, June 20 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which was founded in 1925, has evolved into a respected global organisation, with branches across many countries, according to a statement issued here on Friday. The Governor was speaking on the occasion of a book release ceremony in Raj Bhavan titled 'Why Are We in the RSS...?' written by author, ideologue and RSS pracharak Ramesh Patange. Countering what he termed as the false narrative that the RSS is an upper caste organisation, Governor Radhakrishnan asserted that RSS has always embodied inclusivity, rooted in the core values of Sanatana Dharma — equality, service, and unity. Complimenting Patange for bringing out a book on RSS in the organisation's centenary year, the Governor praised Patange for dispelling through well-researched evidence, historical facts, and reasoned arguments, the politically motivated myth that the RSS is an upper-caste organisation. He further noted that RSS volunteers have consistently risen to serve the nation during times of crisis—whether during earthquakes, floods, droughts, or railway accidents across the country. Reflecting on the organisation's journey, the Governor acknowledged that the RSS has faced numerous challenges over the past 100 years, including two bans — one following the tragic assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Yet, he said, the dedication of thousands of swayamsevaks and pracharaks has ensured that the organisation remains strong and vibrant. He also commended RSS workers for fostering emotional integration between the northeastern states and the rest of the country. The Governor pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, himself a former pracharak, exemplifies the spirit of selfless service inspired by the RSS. He said under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India not only provided free Covid-19 vaccinations to its citizens but also extended support to other nations through vaccine exports. Dr Ashwin Ranjaniker, translator of Patange's original Marathi book 'Aamhi Sanghat Ka Aahot?...', secretary to the Governor Dr. Prashant Narnaware and invitees were present. 'Saptahik Vivek' has published the book on the occasion of the centenary year of the RSS. The book has a foreword by RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat. UNI AAA PRS
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘People tell me I'm Hindu, he's Muslim… just want to be with him': Ghaziabad woman at centre of interfaith marriage speaks out
'Every day, someone new comes and tries to convince me that I have brought disrespect to my family because I married a Muslim man,' said Sonika Chauhan, 25, who is at the centre of a saga that includes an interfaith wedding, allegations of kidnapping, and vandalism. On May 25, Sonika's father, Laxman Singh Chauhan, filed a complaint with the Ghaziabad Police, alleging that his daughter had been kidnapped and wrongfully confined by a man named Akbar. The police registered an FIR, after which the couple surrendered at the Indirapuram police station. Hours earlier, they had shot a video in Akbar's car, stating they were married and requesting that their families not be harmed. Akbar's shop was also vandalised by a group of men belonging to the Bajrang Dal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Indirapuram Yuva Morcha, and Uttarakhand Samaj Adhikarik, who raised allegations of 'love jihad'. Akbar was arrested on May 26, as were his relatives, including his sisters. He was finally released on bail on June 8. The police are yet to produce Sonika in court to record her statement. Speaking to The Indian Express, she said, 'People keep telling me that I am Hindu and he is Muslim, that I have brought disrespect to my family… I just want to be with him. When will all this end?' Akbar, meanwhile, who spent 14 days in jail before being granted bail by the Ghaziabad district court, said his private life had been turned into a political drama. Dressed in a white shirt and a pair of black jeans, he said, 'People are talking about love jihad, but do they know our story? Do they realise that she is my wife? We are married, I am not a criminal,' he said. Akbar recalled what had led to the FIR and vandalism of his two shops. 'On May 24, I was at my shop, and Sonika was at her salon, which is right next to my shop. Around 1 pm, Sonika's mother called her home,' said Akbar, showing CCTV footage from the cameras installed outside his shop. He said at 1.28 pm, Sonika returned with her mother to meet him, claiming that gold jewellery was missing from the house. 'I told them that I would figure it out. By 4 pm, Sonika returned to her salon, and my friend dropped her mother home. Later that evening, her mother returned to confront us about our marriage,' said Akbar, as he showed a copy of the marriage certificate, dated August 29, 2022, on his phone. Kalpana (25), Sonika's helper at the salon, said it was around 6-7 pm when Sonika's mother came to the salon and asked her to shut it down. 'There weren't many customers in the salon… When Sonika refused, her mother hit her. Soon, her father came as well,' said Kalpana. Akbar said that when Sonika's father confronted him about their marriage, he asked her to tell them the truth. 'She did, and we left for Allahabad, shot a video in the car to ensure that our family does not suffer. But everything was ruined… We were on our way to Kanpur when a police officer called and asked us to surrender. We came back, hoping to get police protection…' Akbar and Sonika, neighbours said, had known each other since they were children but fell in love nine years ago. 'I had known her since childhood, but it was all very formal. She studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya and went to school on the bus… some days, after school, I would stand at the bus stop and look for her. This is how we began talking,' Akbar said. 'Over the next five years, we completed school and college. Sonika wasn't interested in studying and planned to open her salon. So she opted for open school for graduation and joined a VLCC training programme that would last for 1.5 years,' Akbar said. 'In 2019, when her training institute denied her a learning certificate, she introduced me to her father. My brother is a lawyer. Several other girls did not get the certificate. I filed the complaint on behalf of 140 girls, and their certificates were issued — and I became a regular in her family,' said the 29-year-old. In 2022, Akbar said, Sonika opened her salon after many false starts and rejections. 'It was like a dream. We were financially capable of fending for ourselves and decided to get married. I was helping her all along. No friend does that, her parents knew that we were in love,' Akbar said. He reiterated that neither of them abandoned their religion, and they got married under the Special Marriage Act. 'I respected her religion and went to each temple that she wanted to go to. All I knew was that we wanted to be together, and I loved her. We thought that once we get married, our parents will not be able to pressure us,' Akbar said. 'Today, people are threatening those who were witnesses to our marriage. The problem is not the police or her parents, it is society,' he said. When The Indian Express contacted the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Trans-Hindon, Patil Nimish Dasharath over Sonika not being produced before the court for her statement, he said, 'We are trying. We will produce her when she is ready.' Akbar, however, is heartbroken. 'Bring her to court, let her say what she wants,' he said. 'I cannot take this separation. I am suffering, I cannot show the world, but I am breaking apart.' Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express. She covers crime, health, environment as well as stories of human interest, in Noida, Ghaziabad and western UP. When not on the field she is probably working on another story idea. On weekends, she loves to read fiction over a cup of coffee. The Thursday Murder club, Yellow Face and Before the Coffee Gets Cold were her recent favourites. She loves her garden as much as she loves her job. She is an alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. ... Read More
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
Kerala education minister walks out of Raj Bhavan event in protest of RSS-styled Bharat Mata portrait
Earlier this month, state Agriculture Minister P Prasad had boycotted the Environment Day event at the Raj Bhavan over the display of the portrait. Following his walkout, the Raj Bhavan issued a statement in which Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said, 'there is no question of doing away with Bharathambha (Bharat Mata)'. Thiruvananthapuram : The Bharat Mata controversy resurfaced in Kerala after State General Education Minister V Sivankutty walked out of a state government event at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, protesting against the display of an image widely used in RSS functions, during the programme. The move had led to a row between the CPI and Governor Arlekar, who had asserted that there would be no compromise on Bharat Mata. The latest incident of Sivankutty walking out of the event over the portrait comes a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the display of the Bharat Mata portrait at the Raj Bhavan, stating that the Governor's office should not be used to promote the ideological agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Giving details of what happened, Sivankutty said that a 'Scout and Guide Certificate' distribution programme for schoolchildren was held at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday morning and when he arrived there, he saw the Bharat Mata portrait onstage with a lamp lit before it. He said that he had arrived a bit late to the event as he had to attend another programme before that where CM Vijayan was speaking. 'After the CM's speech, I left for this event. When I reached the Raj Bhavan, I saw the Bharat Mata portrait with the saffron flag on the stage and that it was being paid floral tributes and a lamp was being lit before it,' he said. 'What happened at the event shows arrogance,' he added. As the event commenced and he was invited to deliver the presidential address, he strongly protested against the display of the portrait in an official government programme and walked out from there, Sivankutty told reporters here. 'I told the Governor during my speech that it was a state government programme being conducted jointly by the Raj Bhavan and the state administration and the Bharat Mata portrait displayed here is that of a political organisation. Lighting a lamp before it was not correct as it is an official programme 'I strongly protest against this. The Kerala government's stand about it has already been conveyed by the CM a day ago. If a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi or the Prime Minister were displayed, it would have been prestigious. Instead Raj Bhavan has been turned into a political centre,' he said. Sivankutty said that after conveying his protest, he walked out of the event. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan said that had the government indicated its strong protest right after the first incident, 'it would not have been repeated again'. He claimed that the CM reacted very late to the incident. 'Since the government did not indicate its protest earlier, it was repeated. So, no point in putting up such shows now. The government needs to indicate its protest to the Governor and not the media,' he said, referring to Sivankutty's walkout. Sivankutty, during his press meet, also claimed that there was no mention about the portrait being displayed at the event in the programme schedule. 'We cannot allow Raj Bhavan to be turned into an RSS centre. This Governor has taken a political stand which is much worse than that of former Governors,' he said. The minister further said that if government events are held in this manner, then children would not be sent to the Raj Bhavan in future. 'I could have asked the students at the event to also leave, but it was my decency that I did not do so,' he said. He also alleged that the Governor, through the display of the portrait, has tried to communalise the minds of the students. 'Children have not seen this portrait before. It will probably be made part of the textbooks now,' the minister said. On being asked what the government would do if oath-taking ceremonies or other official programmes are held at the Raj Bhavan and the portrait is displayed there, he said that an appropriate decision would be taken at that time. PTI HMP HMP KH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Also read: Savarkar severely criticised RSS for its 'purely cultural' orientation
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala Minister skips Raj Bhavan event over RSS-linked flag in Bharat Mata image
In another flashpoint in the ongoing row between the Kerala government and Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Education Minister V Sivankutty boycotted a Scouts and Guides programme at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, objecting to the display of a 'Bharat Mata' picture that featured a flag associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).Sivankutty, who is also the president of the state Scouts and Guides, was present to give out awards to students. Although he completed the formal part of the ceremony, he publicly declared he was boycotting the event due to the presence of the controversial to sources, the state government had earlier conveyed to Raj Bhavan that the picture of Bharat Mata with the RSS flag should not be used for official functions. Reacting sharply to the minister's conduct, Raj Bhavan issued a press note condemning Sivankutty's exit as a 'gross violation of protocol' and a 'grave insult' to the office of the Governor. It said the minister left the venue without informing the Governor and accused him of setting a "wrong precedent" before students.'The Minister came with a prepared speech, an indication of an impending showdown. It is a pity that the Education Minister admitted to the audience that the portrait of Bharatamba is not familiar to him,' the statement read. It added that the minister's behaviour amounted to an insult to the disciplined Scouts and Guides present, apart from the Governor controversy is not new. Earlier, the agriculture department had shifted a government programme from Raj Bhavan to the Secretariat after similar objections were raised. At the time, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had come down heavily on the Governor, saying, 'Raj Bhavan should not be turned into a place for implementing RSS agendas.'Addressing the media on Thursday, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's position, making a clear distinction between personal beliefs and official protocol.'Some are asking what is the problem in honouring Bharat Mata. What we should see is that our Constitution does not uphold the concept of Bharat Mata. The flag in Bharat Mata is of RSS. They can honour it, but don't think everyone should follow the same,' he added that while individuals may hold different ideological views, state events must adhere to government-approved norms. 'Raj Bhavan is not a place which should be turned into a venue for political campaigns. Such moves can only be seen as a challenge to the Constitution,' the Chief Minister stated. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
