No invite for Pak, Bangladesh, Turkey as RSS gears up for centenary celebrations
Though the RSS is engaging with various embassies, the consensus is that the environment isn't conducive to extending an invitation to Pakistan or, by extension, to Turkey and Bangladesh.THREE DAYS, BIG VOICESThe flagship event will take place from August 26 to 28 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The final day is expected to be particularly impactful, with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat taking questions from the audience.'This is more than a celebration,' said RSS pracharak and national executive member Sunil Ambekar. 'It's a platform to reflect on the past, explain the ideology, and chart a roadmap for the future. We've had in-depth discussions on where RSS stands, where it's going, and what kind of energy we want to harness.'WHY TURKEY, BANGLADESH MAY BE LEFT OUTThe diplomatic exclusions extend beyond Pakistan. Turkey, due to its growing defense ties with Islamabad, is also likely to be sidelined. Earlier this year, the RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch even called for economic sanctions against Ankara.Bangladesh's exclusion is also under consideration, largely due to rising concerns over attacks on minorities under Dhaka's interim regime. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has raised repeated alarms, and until the situation stabiliSes, an invitation seems unlikely.Nonetheless, the Sangh plans to reach across the political and social spectrum—extending invites to members of opposition parties and representatives from Muslim and Christian communities.Unlike the single-location event held in 2018, the centenary celebrations are being scaled nationwide. After Delhi, major events are planned in Bengaluru (November), Kolkata and Mumbai (February). The aim: to broaden engagement, spark dialogue and reflect on the RSS's journey.At the heart of it all is a central theme: '100 Years of RSS: New Horizons.'The celebration will explore the Sangh's legacy, its evolving role in Indian society, and its vision for the future. But this time, the focus isn't just on swayamsevaks. The invite list spans a diverse array of voices: politicians, academics, entrepreneurs, media personalities, industrialists and social influencers.'There's a need to question inherited colonial structures, especially in fields like medicine and economics,' Ambekar said. 'It's time to explore an Indian way forward.'- Ends
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