RSS lauds Centre for curbing stone pelting in Kashmir

AGRA: The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Friday lauded the Centre for blocking funding of trouble-makers in Kashmir and thus reducing incidents of stone-pelting there.

Speaking at the three-day RSS coordination meet here, the first after the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh earlier this year, sangh leaders also stressed on bringing Kashmiris into the mainstream. Top leaders of the saffron combine, including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and BJP president Amit Shah, attended the opening day of the meeting.

The inaugural session was addressed by RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi and senior functionary Suresh Soni, who spoke on the agenda of the meeting. Forty allied organisations of the sangh are also taking part in the event being chaired by Bhagwat. Earlier, Bhagwat and Joshi offered flowers at the portrait of ‘Bharat Mata’ to mark the opening of the convention.

Uday Rao Joshi, national general secretary of Sahkar Bharti, said there was no political discussion at the meet. He added that internal security and Kashmir situation came up for discussion. “The stress was on bringing Kashmiris into the mainstream. Incidents of stone pelting are on the decline because of funding to trouble-makers being blocked, so the government deserves appreciation,” he said.

He also informed that the affiliate organizations of RSS were active in 27 states and looking for an active role in north-east.

The RSS leaders asked affiliate organizations to review their work in the changing global and national scenario and move ahead. The speakers felt that the affiliates had crossed the hurdles of opposition and neglect and were now getting acceptability.

“The three-day coordination meet is aimed at a better assessment of the global scenario, present situation in the nation and evaluation of organizational structure so that we can move ahead with better coordination,” said Padam Singh, in charge of publicity, through a press note.

In the remaining two days, the meeting is expected to discuss issues related to killing of RSS workers in Kerala, situation in Haryana after court verdict on Dera Sachcha Sauda chief, Ram Janambhoomi and border issues with China.

Though the RSS has denied any political agenda, 2019 Lok Sabha elections are also likely to figure in the meet. Bhagwat is expected to address the meeting on Sunday.