Haridwar, June 29: The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has expressed its support for Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s comments regarding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Mahant Ravindra Puri, the president of the Akhara Parishad, along with media coordinator Karoli Shankar Maharaj, emphasized the need for self-reflection and reform within large organizations to maintain discipline and effectiveness.
In an interview, Mahant Ravindra Puri stated that as families or organizations grow, they inevitably encounter both strengths and weaknesses. He noted that since the BJP came to power in 2014, many RSS volunteers have taken on various governmental responsibilities. Consequently, it is natural for challenges and shortcomings to arise over time. While older members of the RSS lived by principles of sacrifice, austerity, and moral values, the current generation has grown up in a materialistic environment, leading to some negative practices. Vijayvargiya’s remarks aim not to criticize but to highlight the necessity for improvement within the organization.
Puri expressed hope that RSS leadership would take such complaints seriously and act accordingly. He stressed that if complaints arise against any provincial or district propagator or other workers, prompt decisions should be made. Delaying resolutions is inappropriate, as minor issues can escalate over time. Citing Uttarakhand as an example, he noted that the arrival of a new provincial propagator has led to positive reforms at various levels. Every sector of society has its good and bad trends, making periodic reviews essential within the organization.
Mahant Ravindra Puri also referenced a saying in the ascetic community: “Too many ascetics can ruin a monastery.” This means that as an organization expands and diverse backgrounds join, capable leadership is crucial to maintain coordination and discipline. Senior RSS officials must take necessary steps to strengthen the organization’s image and functioning. In today’s information age, even minor incidents can quickly reach a global audience. Therefore, integrity, ethics, and character are vital for those in public life. If any RSS volunteer engages in wrongdoing, it impacts the entire organization’s reputation. The RSS has made significant contributions in disaster relief, social service, and during national crises, making it essential to focus on discipline and conduct to preserve its positive image.
Meanwhile, Karoli Shankar Maharaj, the media coordinator of the Akhara Parishad, also supported Vijayvargiya’s comments. He stated that the remarks were made not out of animosity but from a familial perspective aimed at improvement. When there are shortcomings in a family, it is the family members who first identify and address them, and Vijayvargiya’s comments stem from that same familial spirit.
He further explained that large organizations require periodic contemplation and introspection. Comparing it to a giant banyan tree, he noted that if any part of the tree becomes hollow, corrective measures must be taken promptly to strengthen it. The RSS ideology is deeply rooted in Indian culture and Hindu society. Therefore, any dysfunction within the organization should be openly discussed, and necessary reforms should be implemented. The RSS leadership is committed to addressing these issues seriously, and upcoming reforms will be clearly visible.
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