GURUGRAM: ‘Love jihad’, Covid-19’s impact on livelihoods and continuing protests by farmers against the Centre’s new agriculture laws are some of the issues likely to dominate the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (
RSS) first-ever north zone executive council
meet in Gurugram from November 11-13, TOI has learnt.
This year due to
Covid, RSS has split its customary annual Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal or annual Diwali Baithak into zones. The meeting in Gurugram will be held at SN Sidheshwar School in Sector-9 in the presence of chief Mohan Bhagwat and senior functionaries like Bhaiyyaji Joshi. CM Manohar Lal Khattar is likely to meet the RSS chief during the meet.
“Growing cases of ‘love jihad’ and conversion in the northern states, especially in Haryana, are likely to be discussed at the meeting. The Haryana government is also concerned about alleged cases of ‘love jihad’ and forceful conversion activities in some pockets of the state,” said a RSS functionary.
However, Haryana RSS chief Pawan Jindal denied that ‘love jihad’ would come up for discussions at the meet. “Services rendered during the lockdown period by the Sangh would be discussed. We will also review the work done last year and make a plan for the next year. RSS is focusing on the need to counsel and skill people during the ongoing pandemic to help them bag jobs,” Jindal said.
“This is a yearly practice of RSS, but due to Covid-19 this review meeting is being held region-wise. A total of 40-45 participants will be present from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Delhi at the meeting. Some office-bearers of RSS Akhil Bharartiya who reside in this region may also attend,” he said.
RSS conducts three important national-level meetings every year. In March every year, they conduct Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, Prant Pracharak baithaks in July and Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal before Diwali. However, this year, on account of Covid, the review meeting is being held region-wise. Gurugram being centrally placed among all regions has been chosen as a venue for the meeting.