RSS warns against anti-national forces hijacking protests, backs right to dissent

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) (Representative image) NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is open to debates on national issues but people must remain vigilant to ensure that forces opposed to the country's interests do not misuse public protests, senior Sangh leader Sunil Ambekar said on Saturday.Ambekar, the RSS's Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, said the organisation had been engaged in debates on its views on Hindutva, nationalism and other issues for more than 100 years.He added that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and other functionaries were willing to engage in dialogue on these subjects.He was speaking to the media ahead of the RSS's annual meeting, scheduled to begin in Indore on November 2.Asked whether the RSS was late in reaching out to younger people, particularly after recent Gen Z protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, Ambekar said it was wrong to assume that the organisation automatically supported or opposed those raising questions about national issues."If someone in the country raises their voice on an issue, why do you consider the Sangh to be either for or against it?

That is a wrong way of thinking.

If someone raises a question concerning the country, that is fine.

They have the right to do so," he said.Referring to Bhagwat's address at the RSS's Vijayadashami celebrations in Nagpur, Ambekar said protests should serve the country's interests and contribute to its progress.

“As the Sarsanghchalak (Mohan Bhagwat) also said in his address at the (RSS) Vijayadashami celebrations in Nagpur, everyone must ensure that any protests taking place in the country are in the country's interest and aimed at taking it forward.

Therefore, everyone must remain vigilant to ensure that forces opposed to the country's interests do not infiltrate protests and misuse them.”Ambekar said the RSS remained attentive to the issue and would continue to engage with it.

Ambekar said the RSS did not oppose emerging mass communication platforms or new technologies, but stressed the need to use them responsibly."The Sangh does not oppose any mass communication medium or its new technology, but as human beings, we certainly need to think about how we use these platforms.

The Sangh will continue to work towards creating awareness in society on this issue," he said.He also said youth participation in RSS activities was growing.

Around two lakh people attended the organisation's introductory training camps last year, while more than 13,000 new shakhas were started over the past year, he said.On the University Grants Commission's (UGC) controversial equity regulations, Ambekar said the RSS had already described the circular as "imbalanced".Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines He said the government and the UGC had taken note of the concerns raised and that the court had stayed the regulations.

The matter is currently before the court, he added."Our position is that whatever happens next on this issue should be balanced, and the government must ensure this," Ambekar said.He also cautioned against allowing a single circular to disrupt social harmony, stressing the need for unity.The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, notified in January, require higher education institutions to set up equity committees to examine complaints of discrimination and promote equality.The committees are required to include members from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), as well as persons with disabilities and women.