RSS chief Sunil Ambekar interview | ‘Even Muslim-majority international locations don’t permit Namaz on roads’

“Even Muslim-majority international locations don’t permit prayers on roads and have designated locations for worship,” Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) nationwide publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar stated in an interview with The Hindu.

Mr. Ambekar made the assertion whereas responding to questions on how incidents in BJP-ruled States — reminiscent of FIRs over namaz on roads, iftar on a ship within the Ganga, or the Char Dham temples asking for ‘Sanatani’ affidavits — impression the RSS’s message of unity in range.

“When the federal government restricts namaz on roads, it ought to be seen as a law-and-order resolution, not a spiritual restriction,” he stated. On the temple challenge, he added, “Preparations at locations of worship are made for individuals who place confidence in that faith. In a democracy, if folks really feel these preparations will not be proper, they will voice their opinion. We now have media to lift our voice.”

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Requested whether or not the Sangh sees any ideological battle with the appointment of Nitin Nabin because the BJP chief, given his lack of prior affiliation with the RSS or its affiliated organisations, Mr. Ambekar stated Mr. Nabin has labored within the BJP for years and that the occasion is able to imparting the core ideology of the organisation.

On the continuing West Asia battle, he stated it’s a time for Opposition events to help the federal government and prioritise nationwide curiosity above political ambitions. “Struggle ought to be fought for fact and the welfare of the folks, not for private or egocentric pursuits and I actually really feel that India is following that proper path,” he stated.

Addressing issues round demographic change and inhabitants imbalance, Mr. Ambekar linked them to historic classes. “Some folks perceive that even when their worship practices change, they nonetheless share the identical ancestors and historical past. However a piece felt that as a result of their traditions had been altered, the nation now not belonged to them. This contributed to the partition of India—a phenomenon additionally seen elsewhere, like Lebanon,” he stated.

He added that the RSS is engaged on the bottom to advertise consciousness of shared ancestry and nationwide unity, as highlighted by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. “It’s a long-term course of. In the meantime, it’s essential that those that don’t perceive this don’t hurt the nation’s unity and integrity,” he stated.

Mr. Ambekar defended measures such because the Socio-Financial and Caste Census (SECC), the Citizenship Modification Act (CAA), and the Nationwide Register of Residents (NRC) as constitutional processes aimed toward safeguarding nationwide curiosity. “Unlawful entrants face authorized motion, and the system permits evaluate and correction for anybody wrongly excluded,” he stated.

Answering a query on the Sangh’s views on youth-led protests in neighbouring international locations like Nepal and Bangladesh, and the way India has not confronted related conditions, Mr. Ambekar stated democracy permits them to protest.

“Indian youth are extremely aspirational. They’re centered on taking the nation ahead and really feel the federal government is working of their curiosity. They respect the Structure and function inside its framework to contribute to nationwide improvement,” Mr. Ambekar stated. He stated India’s youth took to avenue throughout the freedom wrestle, the Emergency, and towards corruption and atrocities towards girls in 2010.

On the RSS’ enlargement because it accomplished 100 years in 2025, Mr. Ambekar stated its community of shakhas now conducts round 88,000 each day periods, participating a number of lakh individuals. A brand new divisional stage has been launched to decentralise the organisational construction and prolong outreach to villages, tehsils, and mandals throughout India.

“Our imaginative and prescient stays constant: fostering unity, nationwide improvement, and safety, guided by the rules on which the Sangh was based a century in the past,” he stated.