RSS holds a low-key I-day function no virtual address also

NAGPUR: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak (chief) Mohan Bhagwat’s Independence day function was a low-key affair on Saturday. Last year, for the first time, he had delivered a speech on the occasion.
Bhagwat unfurled the Tricolour at RSS headquarters in Mahal locality. A separate function was held under the leadership of another senior functionary Shridharrao Ghadge at the Reshimbagh campus, around a couple of kms away, which is the training centre of the outfit and also houses a memorial of its founder.
No speeches were made this year and media was not allowed at the venues owing to strict restrictions due to Covid. The RSS later released a video of both the functions.
About 20 people had assembled at Mahal when Bhagwat unfurled the flag. He was sporting a mask and the function was wrapped up quickly.
In 2019, for the first time in many years Bhagwat had delivered a speech on I-day. The RSS chief has made virtual speeches on a number of occasions recently too. However, he chose not to deliver any on Saturday.
In last year’s speech, Bhagwat had made a reference to the doing away of the special status for Jammu and Kashmir.
A RSS functionary said Bhagwat gave a speech last year as he happened to be in Nagpur. “In earlier years, he was away at other places on I-day,” he said.