RSS gets new uniform, replaces khaki shorts with brown pants to attract youth

Nagaur: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday got a new uniform as it replaced khaki shorts with brown trousers to attract youth. The decision came during the annual meeting of the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagaur near Jodhpur on Sunday.

"We have made brown full pant as part of uniform. There is no reason behind making the choice of the colour," said the RSS.

ABPD of RSS, Manmohan Vaidya had said the issue was debated in 2010 but since there was no consensus it was deferred for five years.

Loose Khaki shorts have been the trademark of RSS cadres since the organisation's inception in 1925. Even though other parts of the uniform have been changed from time to time, khaki shorts remained in vogue till now.

Initially till 1940, the uniform of RSS was khaki shirt and shorts before white shirts were introduced. Leather shoes replaced long boots in 1973 and later rexine shoes were allowed.

The RSS also weighing in on the quota issue, saying well-off communities cannot ask for reservation as it sabotages what Dr BR Ambedkar envisaged.

"Reservation has helped the weaker sections of the society. If the affluent section of the society demands reservation, then it does not sound good. This refects a deviation from the thought of Dr BR Ambedkar and the Constitution. The affluent should surrender reservation for the upliftment of the weaker section," the RSS said.

In a bold move, the RSS has backed women's entry in temples and said such unfair traditions should be done away with. The remarks came during the annual meeting of the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagaur near Jodhpur on Saturday.

RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi in his address to the national council has said that unfair traditions have caused ban of women in many temples. RSS has called for attempts to bring about a change in mindset through discussion. He added that such sensitive issues should not be politicised.

"Because of some unfair traditions, at certain places there has been a lack of consensus on the question of temple entry.

"Such sensitive issues should be resolved through discussion and dialogue and not through agitations," the RSS said.