Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, opened a three-day conclave in Delhi on Monday to highlight the ideological of the organization.
The RSS chief in an 80-minute address seemed keen to re-mould the image of RSS on more than one issue. “India is a country full of diversity and it must be respected and celebrated,” he said, adding that it should not become a reason for “discord” in the society.
Addressing a frequent criticism about the lack of women participation in the RSS, Mr Bhagwat said there was room to change that and added there are other groups within its umbrella where they do take part.
The RSS, which was an organization unlike any other, is targeted by many people in the country out of “fear” of its increasing power which is natural, he said.
Though many leaders of the ruling BJP, a number of Bollywood actors, artists and academicians were present for the event in Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan, usually the venue for major government events, almost all major opposition parties gave the conclave a miss though the RSS had invited them.