M A I N   N E W S

SAD aflutter as RSS spreads wings in Punjab
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service

Senior BJP leader L K Advani visited the head of Radha Soami Dera at Beas last month, allegedly as a follow up to the meeting between Bhagwat and Gurinder Singh - the Radha Soami Dera head. A senior RSS functionary said the meeting was held only to ensure that the two non-government organisations continued to work for communal harmony and social welfare. Sources say that RSS workers are partnering with smaller deras, especially in the Majha and Doaba regions of the state, and promoting social welfare schemes like post-matric scholarship scheme. This scheme has seen a 100 per cent jump in its enrolment for poor students.

RSS leaders say that they are aggressively working in those areas of Punjab which have been worst affected by drug menace, and in the border districts of Punjab where unemployment is rampant. Sources say that the workers have got good response in the areas, which traditionally are Akali bastions.

Though the RSS has always been active in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Abohar and Fazilka, the sangh has also infiltrated into smaller towns and districts. The state is divided into six ‘vibhags’ and each ‘vibhag’ is divided into smaller units called ‘nagars’.

Sources say the RSS presence in Mohali, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Bathinda and Moga is relatively new and response in these areas was good.

While Rashtriya Sikh Sangat – a front organisation of the RSS is being re-activated, the organization is also re-energising Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) - student wing and Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (labour wing). Social organizations that owe their allegiance to the RSS – Sewa Bharti and Bhartiya Vikas Parishad -- too, are stepping up their social activities to involve more people.

As of now, the RSS has 630 shakhas (branches) spread across Punjab. Senior RSS functionaries, on condition of anonymity, told The Tribune that they are opening at least 200 more shakhas, mainly in rural and semi-urban areas. “Of late, there has been great enthusiasm among the people of the state to enroll with the RSS,” said a top leader in the state. He added that the social work done by the RSS and its subsidiaries in Punjab was highly appreciated by people, who were now actively engaged with the RSS through its shakhas and camps organized by it. THey said they had no political ambitions behind the social service. But the inroads being made by the RSS have raised the heckles of their political opponents as well as allies.

7 ‘vibhags’ in Punjab

Patiala ‘vibhag, (Chandigarh, Mohali, Patiala, Ropar & Fatehgarh Sahib)

Amritsar ‘vibhag’ (Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar)

Bathinda ‘vibhag’ (Barnala, Bathinda and Mansa)

Ludhiana ‘vibhag’ (Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Sangrur & Moga)

Ferozepur ‘vibhag’ ( Abohar, Ferozepur, Fazilka)

Jalandhar ‘vibhag’ ( Jalandhar rural, Jalandhar urban, Kapurthala & Nawanshahr)

Pathankot ‘vibhag’

Saffron surge

* RSS has 630 shakhas in Punjab. It plans to add 200 more.

* RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has visited Punjab four times this year. Had visited Mansa in May and Doraha in September.

* The right wing organisation using social issues to reach out to people.

* This will benefit BJP as it targets Mission 2017.

RSS structure

* Sangh Chalak - Braj Bhushan Bedi

* Prant Karyavaha - Munishwar (also coordinates between BJP and RSS)

* Sah Prant Karyavaha -- Amrit Sagar Jain

* Sharirik Pramukh - Vinay

* Boddhik Pramukh - Vijay Singh

* Prant Pracharaks - Vishal and Kishore

* Prant Sampark Pramukh - Ram Lal Gupta.