Overview
- At the RSS executive in Jabalpur, general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the organisation cannot be banned on a leader’s whim and urged critics to learn from past failed bans.
- Hosabale pressed for a prompt national population policy to address what he called a “demographic imbalance,” citing infiltration, religious conversions and higher growth in some communities as drivers.
- The Tribune reported that the Centre is finalising members for a High-Level Demography Mission approved by the Cabinet in September, with officials indicating the panel could be constituted soon.
- Showcasing growth, the RSS said it added about 10,000 new locations since last year and now runs 87,398 daily shakhas at 55,052 places plus 32,362 weekly meetings, alongside centenary plans for wide-ranging Hindu sammelans under its Panch Parivartan outreach.
- Political exchanges continued as BJP figures defended the RSS, Congress voices including Priyank Kharge questioned its constitutional stance and activities in public institutions, and the RSS flagged concerns over West Bengal and conversions in Punjab while urging high turnout in Bihar.