The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday condemned an “international” move to equate caste with race and urged the Indian government “to be alert towards designs meant to destroy the social fabric of India.”
General secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said on the concluding day of the RSS’ three-day conclave in Bihar: “It should be borne in mind that all efforts to internationalise caste are designs to weaken our national solidarity and destroy our social fabric. They should be opposed by all right-thinking citizens in all fora.”
He said: “After the Durban review conference in Geneva in April 2009, reports had appeared suggesting renewed attempts to bring caste into the ambit of racism,” while stressing that “caste is an internal matter of our country.”
“It is worthwhile to recall similar attempts made by certain Western powers and some NGOs sponsored by them at the time of the world conference against racism organised by the U.N. in South Africa in August-September 2001,” he said.
Border security
Mr. Joshi further said that the RSS had expressed grave concern over reports of the alleged Line of Control violations by China. “It is unfortunate that the Indian government’s response to the bullying tactics of bordering countries has always been lacklustre and grossly inadequate,” he said.
While sounding the call to ‘march towards villages,’ the RSS stressed the need to develop a cow-centric, organic and natural farming-based village model supported by artisanship and rural industries, which would lead to sustainable development.
The Sangh urged the Central government to create a blueprint for a self-reliant, village-based economy.
