The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has changed its display picture on social media to the tricolour ahead of Independence Day.
Ahead of the 75th Independence Day and amid a nationwide celebration for ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) did not dither from explicitly sharing its sentiments of patriotism. Days after Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned nationalism and its zeal around Independence Day celebrations, RSS changed the display picture of its official handles and social media accounts to the Tricolour.
The switch from its traditional saffron flag to the national flag came despite the RSS attempting to keep distance from politicising the Independence Day of the country.
RSS Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar had earlier said, “Such things [GoI’s appeal to hoist or display the national flag] should not be politicised. The RSS has already extended its support to the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ programmes. The Sangh had in July appealed for the full support and participation of the people and swayamsevaks in the programmes to be organised by the government, private bodies, and Sangh-related organisations.”
The predicament came after Ramesh taunted the BJP as well as the RSS in relation to the absence of the national flag at its headquarters. Taking a swipe at the RSS, the Congress general secretary had said that it seemed PM Modi’s message did not reach the organisation. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi said that those behind the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign come from an organisation which did not hoist the national flag at its headquarters for 52 years, a view shared by Ramesh too.
Previously, defending the RSS, the ideological mentor of the BJP, spokesperson for the ruling party Gaurav Bhatia had said, “Some people believe in creating controversies and dividing the country. They are levelling allegations against the BJP. The Congress and Rahul Gandhi have also targeted the RSS. Every fibre of the RSS is full of patriotism and a sense of service to the country.
The speculation over the tricolour and the RSS displaying its patriotism came after the Centre’s appeal to the people of the country to display the national flag in their houses between August 13 and 15. Also, reports suggest that PM Narendra Modi called on people to use the national flag as their social media profile picture between August 2 and 5 as the country gears up to celebrate its independence from the British Raj.
