Nagpur: It is learned that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) know as the ideological fountain head of pro-hindutva politics in the Indian sub-continent. In order to strengthen its electoral base in Punjab particularly among dalits which amounts to considerable amount of vote share in the state has invited Nirmal Das a Jalandhar based Dalit religious leader on its mega Dusherra function to be held in Nagpur. Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, is also expected to share the stage with him.
UPDATE:
→ Baba Nirmal Das did not participate in aforesaid event organised by the RSS. As per media reports, he did not participate in this event due to health reasons. (Updated on: September 30, 2017).
Baba Nirmal Das [File Photo]
It was Dusherra of 1925 when the RSS came into existence, while three decades later Bhimrao Ambedkar led millions of Dalits to renounce Hinduism and become Buddhists on this day. While RSS holds its Vijaya Dashmi fete at Reshimbagh grounds, there is a huge congregation of Dalits at Deekshabhoomi, the place where Ambedkar converted to Buddhism, reads a quote from a report published in an English vernacular.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat [File Photo]
Top most ministers of the Maharashtra government including chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari are expected to address the crowds at Deekshabhoomi. Even last year, the duo was present at both festivities, it is seen by many as an attempt to minimize the damage done to the image of the pro-hindutva outfits by relentless acts of violence against Dalits of the sub-continent specially after 2014 when BJP under Narendra Modi with Hindutva agenda in its mind came to power.
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→ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਧਾਰ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਆਰ. ਐਸ. ਐਸ. ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਆਧਾਰਤ ਦਲਿਤ ਆਗੂ ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਮੁੱਖ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ
Apparently, to reduce its future dependence upon its traditional alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in Punjab through its political offshoot the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the RSS has roped in Nirmal Das head of Ravidas Sampardai Society in Punjab, working among the Dalit community.
It was further reported by the media sources that senior RSS functionaries, whilst confirming the presence of Nirmal Das’ has reportedly said that he has been working among the Dalit community. “One of his activities is preventing conversions.”
“He is a sant (saint), and it is part of Indian culture to respect such people. Things like caste are no consideration while deciding the chief guest,” reads the statement of Sameer Gautam, RSS Nagar Prachar Pramukh published in Times of India (ToI).