Religion data to be discussed at RSS meet

NEW DELHI: Top leadership of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates will gather in Ranchi in October to discuss issues of national importance, including the findings of the 2011 census data. Over 150 participants from different bodies of the Sangh Parivar are expected to attend the meet between October 28 and November 1.

The data released in August this year had revealed that Hindu population in India had slipped the psychological mark of 80% for the first time and proportion of Muslims in India’s population increased by 0.8% between 2001 and 2011. RSS’ joint general secretary Dattatrey Hosabale had in September said that the RSS has formed an informal group to study the findings of the report and it would be taken up for detailed discussion at the Ranchi meeting.

“This is the annual meeting of the RSS’ supreme body, the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (executive body). About 150-odd delegates from different affiliates will attend the event. The meeting reviews the work done so far and the future course of action,” said Vagish Issar, secretary of RSS’ publicity centre, the Indraprastha Vishwa Samvada Kendra.

The ‘routine’ RSS meeting comes amid a raging beef controversy, with political rivals accusing rightwing groups of whipping up communal passion for electoral gains.