Explainer: RSS suddenly became active after Lok Sabha elections? What is the coordination meeting of the Sangh, what happens in it

After the Lok Sabha elections (Lok Sabha Election 2024), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is holding meetings in a rapid manner. Coordination meetings of the Sangh are being called from Uttar Pradesh to Madhya Pradesh. A few days ago, Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat met UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath behind closed doors. Political experts are linking these meetings to the performance of the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections and the tussle in many states. But the officials of the Sangh are calling the meetings routine meetings.

Let us understand what is the coordination meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, what happens in it, who participates and what is its significance?

Did the union suddenly become active?
Prafull Ketkar, who knows RSS closely and is the editor of Organiser magazine, tells hindi.AnyTV.com that coordination meetings are part of the routine work of the Sangh. There are mainly two types of coordination meetings. The first is regional or state level and the second is national level, which is also called All India Coordination Meeting. Ketkar tells that the schedule of the Sangh for the whole year is almost fixed. It starts with the Representative Assembly around March. Immediately after this, state or regional coordination meetings are held. Then the National Coordination Meeting is organized. After this, the All India Executive Meeting of the Sangh is held around Diwali.

Who attends the coordination meeting?
In the coordination meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), officials of its 36 associate or affiliated organizations participate. This includes BJP as well as many organizations like Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Shikshan Mandal, Seva Bharti. In the national level coordination meeting, the All India officials of the Sangh, such as Sarsanghchalak, Sarkaryavah, participate. On behalf of the affiliated organizations, its president and organization general secretary participate. For example, in the national coordination meeting of the Sangh, party president JP Nadda and national organization general secretary BL Santosh will participate from the BJP.

Sometimes co-organization ministers are also called in the national coordination meeting. Similarly, in the regional or province level coordination meeting, the regional pracharak of RSS and if any national level official has responsibility in that area, then he participates. Apart from this, the presidents and organization ministers of the affiliated organizations also participate. Prafull Ketkar says that many times, apart from national and regional coordination meetings, department coordination meetings are also held. Apart from this, it is also important to know that in the representative assembly of the Sangh, national coordination meeting and province or regional coordination meetings, the officials of the associated organization are called. But only the officials of the Sangh participate in the executive meeting.

What happens in the coordination meeting of the union?
Mainly two types of issues are discussed in the coordination meeting of RSS. First- issues related to national interest and second- matters related to the policies of the organization. Every organization of the Sangh puts forth its views in this meeting. After this, a common opinion is formed and the way forward is decided. An official of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh says that we generally have a perception that in the coordination meeting, RSS takes the report card from BJP. But it is not so. The Sangh does not directly interfere in the work of BJP, but definitely guides. He says that the national coordination meeting takes place after the province or regional coordination meetings.

In which there are officials like Prant Pracharak, Regional Organization Minister. In that meeting, issues of the region or province are discussed. Then through those officials, the issues of the concerned province or region come to the All India meeting. These are discussed, if there is any doubt, then efforts are made to remove it.

First National Coordination Meeting after Lok Sabha Elections
The national coordination meeting of the Sangh is proposed to be held in Palakkad, Kerala from 31 July to 2 August this month. The national meeting being held right after the Lok Sabha elections is considered very important. In this meeting, news of reduction in BJP’s seats at the national level and tension in the states can be discussed. The demands of other parties in the government can also be discussed. The last coordination meeting of the Sangh was held in Pune. Political experts say that this time Kerala has been strategically chosen for the meeting, because for the first time in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP has been successful in opening its account here. Through this meeting, the Sangh and BJP also want to give a message to the South.

Tags: BJP, Lok Sabha Election 2024, RSS chief