RSS National Meeting Outcome: Conversion, Infiltration Causing Population Imbalance, Says Top Leaders

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has stated that religious conversion and migration from border areas are causing “population imbalance” and has called for strict enforcement of anti-conversion laws. Hosabale made the remarks while speaking to the media in Prayagraj on Wednesday, following the completion of a four-day conference of the RSS’s all-India working committee.

Concerns were also aired during the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meeting regarding “unabated” religious conversions in the country, and a request was issued for the establishment of a population strategy and its uniform application to everyone, according to Hosabale.

According to the RSS chief, conversions have reduced the “number of Hindus in various parts of the nation, and the ramifications of this have been seen.” He went on to say that “infiltration” from border areas was a contributing reason to demographic imbalance, which had caused social and economic difficulties. Hosabale said that in the past, demographic imbalances contributed to the division of various countries, including India.

Another issue highlighted by the RSS leader for “population imbalance” was a “reduction in the number of members in households.” According to Hosabale, the average family size has reduced from 3.4 to 1.9 members during the last 40-50 years due to a focus on population management.

“As a result, there is a chance that the old population may outnumber young people in the next years.” That is cause for concern,” Hosabale said, adding that demographic balance was necessary to keep India as a “yuva desh.”

He went on to say that the RSS has instructed its workers to help organisations like the Arya Samaj and the Dharma Jagran Vibhag, which fight to prevent conversions. He said that as a consequence of “Ghar Wapsi,” the Sangh Parivar’s endeavour to reintroduce Hindus to other religions like as Islam and Christianity, there had been a positive impact.

The RSS chief stated that current rules against religious conversion must be severely enforced. This was an obvious allusion to laws in various states, notably Uttar Pradesh, that ban conversion by force or allurement, particularly via marriage.

“Conversions continue to occur. There are laws in existence to prohibit conversion, and these laws should be enforced. Previously, analogous laws were enacted in Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu,” Hosabale explained.

According to Hosabale, the RSS believes that converted persons should not be eligible for reservation privileges.

On the topic of women’s empowerment and engagement in social activities, Hosabale stated that the education level of women in India has grown, particularly among Hindus, and that they are now working in all areas of society. “Women’s participation in decision-making and debate should be expanded.” Social changes and the preservation of values, culture, and social equality are impossible without women’s active participation and support, according to Hosabale. He also stated that women are becoming more involved in RSS activities like as seva, village development, and “kutumb prabodhan.”He further said that “RSS acceptability” has improved in the North-East regions, and that tribal populations in such places desire to be identified with the RSS.

When asked about the RSS’s engagement with religious minorities, Hosabale stated that such dialogues have taken place for the past 40 years. Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS head, also attended the summit in Prayagraj from October 16 to 19. — Using PTI inputs.