Kutch : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Executive Board meeting commenced on Sunday, November 5, at the Shri Kachhi Leva Patel Samaj, Sardar Patel Vidya Sankul in Bhuj, Gujarat. The meeting, which will conclude on November 7, will focus on reviewing the organization's expansion plans in view of its centenary and discussing topics such as environmental issues, climate change, security, and self-reliance.

During the inaugural session, tributes were paid to those who lost their lives in the recent earthquake in Nepal and to prominent social figures who passed away recently. These included senior RSS campaigners Rangahari, Madandas Devi, Jayant Sahasrabuddhe, and Haribhau Baje, as well as renowned journalist Vedpratap Vaidik, thinker-writer Tariq Fateh, Sulabh International founder Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, National Organization Minister and founding member of Ex-Servicemen Service Council Commander Balakrishna Jaiswal, Uttarakhand agitator and Chairperson of Women's Commission Sushila Baluni, and Padma Bhushan N. Vitthal (IAS).

The meeting was inaugurated by RSS Sarsanghchalak (chief) Dr. Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale, who offered floral tributes in front of a picture of Bharat Mata (Mother India). Around 382 representatives from across the country, including Sanghchalaks (branch heads), Karyavahs (organizing secretaries), Pracharaks (propagators), All India Executive members, and All India Organization ministers of various affiliated organizations, are participating in the meeting.

The meeting will also discuss the implementation of the Sangh's training exercises and social outreach initiatives, including those focused on social harmony, family enlightenment, cow service, and village development.

Nagpur, Oct 24 (IANS) The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday cautioned the electorate to remain alert from the divisive forces who might create trouble during the ensuing Assembly elections in five states to be followed by the Lok Sabha elections and urged them to opt for the "best available" among the candidates.

"Don't succumb to the people who try to provoke you to divide the society," said RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat, who urged them to perform the national duty of exercising their franchise.

Addressing the annual Vijayadashami celebrations at the sprawling Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra's Nagpur, Bhagwat was all praise for successfully hosting the prestigious G20 Summit in India and for extending the Indian hospitality to the participant countries. "The guests in India enjoyed the Indian traditions and culture and warm receptions to them," he said.

The RSS chief said it was indeed an achievement that during its Session in India, the G20 warm heartily welcomed the African Union in its fold. The all round progress of India be it on science, agriculture and defence sector was showcased.

On the Manipur crisis, he said some separatist forces were involved in the violence. Both the groups Kuki Meitei were living there peacefully for years but trouble cropped up in the border areas. 

Probably for the first time making a mention of sports, the RSS chief complimented the athletes who did the country proud in the recently held Asian Games in China. He did not forget to mention 18 Gold, 28 Silver and 47 Bronze medals making a total of 107.

Bhagwat also lauded the progress in the digital India, agriculture and defence sector. The Indian economy has reached top five from the 10th position in the recent, he said.

The RSS chief, however, skipped the mention of the inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya early next year.

New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by Tamil Nadu government challenging the Madras High Court order, which allowed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct a route march across the state.

A bench headed Justice V. Ramasubramanian said the appeal is dismissed. During the hearing, RSS had contended that if its march is being attacked by a terrorist organisation in Tamil Nadu, then the state government has to protect it.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Tamil Nadu government, had submitted before the court that "We are not totally opposed to having route marches and public meetings across the state, but it cannot be in every street, every mohallaa.".

Rohatgi argued that RSS cannot seek a carte blanche in conducting the marches and added that the high court had agreed that the situation of security in the state offered a mixed bag. He stressed that the state government cannot shut its eyes to law-and-order concerns.

The bench had orally observed that a balance should be struck between the language of power and the language of democracy. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the RSS, submitted that the state government cannot stop an organisation from holding peaceful marches by citing apprehensions in connection with a banned outfit.

Jethmalani further added that they are unable to control a terrorist organisation there and that is why they want to ban the march, and after the PFI ban there have been no incidents. He had submitted, "what is your apprehension?......If I am being attacked by a terrorist organisation then the state has to protect me." Jethmalani informed the bench that they are not going to do anything till March 11 or March 12, while insisting that the government cannot ban the march.

He said RSS cannot be singled out against the backdrop that marches have been held by Dalit Panthers and the ruling DMK party, and pressed that state cannot abdicate its responsibilities.

The state government said it would in the meanwhile, communicate with the other inputs it had received about threats and suggest routes for the marches. "We will work it out," said Rohatgi.

The state government had contended that it was not pressing for an absolute ban on the marches, rather only highlighting the issue of security to participants in certain sensitive areas, which has a presence of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), which have witnessed bomb blasts in the past. Detailed order of the apex court in the matter will be uploaded later in the day.

On March 1, the Supreme Court agreed to examine the Tamil Nadu government plea challenging the Madras High Court order, which allowed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct a route march across the state.