Chandigarh, March 13 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Joint General Secretary C R Mukund on Friday said that special emphasis is being placed on expanding 'shakhas' and engaging with society through public outreach programs to mark the organization's centenary year.
In Kerala, over 55,000 Muslim and 54,000 Christian homes were covered under the public outreach initiative, he said while addressing a three-day meeting of the RSS's top decision-making body -- Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) -- in Haryana's Samalkha.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale inaugurated the meeting.
As this year marks the centenary of the right-wing organization, the meeting will include detailed discussions on major programs and campaigns organized as part of the celebrations. These include 'grihasampark' (mass contact program), Hindu Sammelans, youth conferences, gatherings of prominent citizens, and social harmony meetings.
In his address, Mukund talked about the RSS's 'panch parivartan' initiative, which focuses on social harmony, preservation of family values, environmental protection, selfhood, and self-reliance, and adherence to legal, civic, and constitutional duties.
The RSS has reached out to more than 10 crore homes under "grihasampark," he said, adding that more than 3 lakh villages have been covered, and the organization is also seeing a positive impact from "sabbhav gosti" and the "pramukh nagrik gostis."
In Kerala, the RSS reached out to several households, including Muslims, Christians, and those with communist leanings.
"We received a warm welcome everywhere we went. Our 'swayamsevaks' reached out to 55,000 Muslim and 54,000 Christian homes," Mukund said, adding that the Sangh also reached tribal regions through its public outreach initiative.
Elaborating on the Sangh's plan of action to mark its centenary year, Mukund said there are two main dimensions to various initiatives -- organizational growth, focused on expanding 'shakhas', and a concerted effort to engage with society, foster harmony within it, and mobilize all the virtuous forces of the community to dedicate themselves to the work of social transformation and public awakening.
Hindu Sammelans have been held at more than 36,000 places in the country, and more are planned, including in urban, rural, and remote areas, Mukund said.
The Sangh's ongoing endeavor involves engaging prominent citizens across various localities to serve as key community leaders, he added.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin and presidents and other senior functionaries of its 32 sister organizations, among others, will attend the key three-day meet.
"To foster harmony within society, we are collaborating at the block level with local community leaders, heads of spiritual organizations, and heads of religious centres," Mukund said.
"Together, we aim to deliberate upon and implement positive initiatives that bring about necessary social reforms. Specifically, the Sangh has identified five transformations," he said.
On the Naxal-affected regions, the Sangh said that the situation is gradually returning to normal due to the government's efforts.
Mukund said political stability is coming to Manipur. Moreover, the ongoing effort wherein individuals from all communities and castes, along with prominent figures, come together to deliberate collectively, is yielding results, an endeavor in which the Sangh, too, has a role.
He added that a difficult situation arose in Bangladesh, one that persists to this day. Therefore, the Sangh urges the government there to undertake whatever efforts are necessary to safeguard the rights and interests of Hindus.
Asked about the West Asia conflict, he said the crisis should end soon, this is what we and the Indian society believe.
Sunil Ambekar, RSS' Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, said this year marks the centenary year of the Sangh.
Ambekar on Wednesday said the three-day meeting will review the activities of the Sangh during 2025-26 and present reports on significant initiatives carried out across various regions.
The meeting is being attended by RSS senior office-bearers, along with members of the national executive body. A total of 1,487 'karyakartas' will participate, including elected representatives and key office-bearers from various parts.
In addition, presidents, general secretaries, and organising secretaries of 32 affiliated organizations will also be present.