Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his support for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Wednesday, stating that the organization has made significant contributions to national welfare. He emphasized that all should take pride in organizations dedicated to serving the nation selflessly.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar asserted that the RSS consists of individuals committed to selfless service. “I hereby rule that the RSS is an organization with full Constitutional rights to participate in the development journey of this nation. This organization holds unimpeachable credentials, comprising people deeply committed to serving the nation selflessly. To exclude a member of this organization from participating in the nation’s development is not only unconstitutional but beyond the rules. Our rules prescribe a methodology…,” he said.
Further praising the RSS, Dhankhar noted, “Every organization associated with national development should come forward. It is reassuring and gratifying to see that the RSS has been contributing to national welfare and our culture. Everyone should take pride in organizations acting in this manner.”
Dhankhar’s remarks follow the central government’s recent decision to lift the ban on government employees participating in RSS activities. This order, issued by the Ministry of Personnel, has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from opposition figures.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor labeled the decision as “very strange,” questioning why the government had maintained the ban for a decade and then changed it. He argued that government employees should remain neutral and work impartially for all citizens. “RSS work and government work are different; they should not be mixed. Government employees should remain neutral while in service. After retiring, they can pursue their interests, but during their service, they should not be involved in such activities,” Tharoor stated.
