New Delhi: As part of its plan to tighten its grip over Indian society, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is now mulling to launch its Christian wing.
The RSS has held meetings with Christian leaders as part of a plan to reach out to the community by setting up an organisation, according to a reliable report.
A senior RSS spokesperson confirmed the reports and said that efforts are on to reach out to the Christians and a meeting for the same was held on December 17, 2015.
The proposed Christain Wing will be on the lines of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch that RSS established over a decade ago.
“On December 17, 4-5 Archbishops, 40-50 Reverend Bishops from across 10 to 12 states met and it was decided to develop a movement. This is preparing the ground to lay the seeds for an organisation,” Indresh Kumar, member of RSS’ National Executive, said.
This is said to be the first such outreach to the clergy made through a Sangh-backed initiative.
The December 17 meeting, held in New Delhi, was presided over by Indresh Kumar. Chinmayananda Swami of Vishva Hindu Parishad was also present at the event, called the ‘Christmas Message for Love, Peace and Harmony from Indian Soil’.
It was attended, among others, by Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Bishop Jacob Mar Barnabas of the Gurgaon diocese, Bishop Issac Osthatheous of the Delhi diocese and the general secretary of the Church of North India, Alwan Masih.
The development comes in the wake of an uproar over alleged increase in intolerance under the Bharatiya Janata Party government and political parties accusing the ruling party’s ideological mentor of instigating friction between communities.
(Agencies)
