RSS leader Sunil Ambekar condemns Nagpur violence, calls Aurangzeb 'irrelevant'

Ambekar made these remarks while addressing a press meet on the RSS' upcoming three-day national meet, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), scheduled for March 21-23.

Bengaluru: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) national publicity head Sunil Ambekar on Wednesday said 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is “not relevant” and condemned the recent violence at Nagpur where the Hindu nationalist organisation is headquartered.

“Any type of violence is not good for the health of society. Police have taken cognisance of it and they will get into the details,” Ambekar said on the Nagpur violence at a news conference ahead of the three-day meeting of the Akhila Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the highest decision-making body of the RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent.

When asked if Aurangzeb is relevant and whether his tomb should be relocated, Ambekar said: “I think (Aurangzeb) is not relevant.”

However, RSS affiliates like Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have been spearheading the campaign for the removal of the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, warning of a repeat of a “Babri-like” agitation if the tomb is not taken down.

Arson and large-scale clashes between two groups were reported in Maharashtra’s Nagpur on Monday night, hours after right-wing outfits in the city demanded the razing of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

More than 50 persons have been taken into custody in connection with the violence.

Top meeting

The ABPS, which will take place at Channenahalli on Magadi Road, will pass two resolutions, including one on Bangladesh, during its three-day meeting starting March 21.

RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat and Sarakaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale will inaugurate the ABPS. The event is taking place here after four years.

The Bangladesh resolution will be on the “concerning developments” there, atrocities on Hindus and other minorities, and the way forward. The second resolution will be on the journey of the RSS in the last 100 years, activities during the centenary year and the path ahead.

Hosabale will present a detailed synopsis of works done by the RSS and its future roadmap, Ambekar said.

The ABPS will also release a special statement to commemorate the 500 years of the valorous warrior queen Rani Abbakka, who hailed from Karnataka.

With the RSS turning 100 this year, the organisations’s expansion will also be deliberated upon. “Vijayadashami 2025 to Vijayadashami 2026 will be observed as centenary year. Extensive outreach will be planned and people from all walks of life will be involved in this outreach,” Ambekar said.

A total of 1,500 RSS workers, mainly elected representatives from Prant and Kshetra levels, are expected to participate in the ABPS. Presidents and general secretaries of 32 bodies affiliated to RSS will also participate, including BJP national president J P Nadda and national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh.