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RSS Supports Women's Entry To Temples, Changes Uniform From Khaki Shorts To Brown Trousers

RSS 'Grows Up', Supports Women's Entry To Temples, Changes Uniform To Brown Trousers
Members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - National Volunteers Organisation - take part in a physical drill during a public meeting in Bangalore on November 22, 2009. RSS Chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat arrived in the city to review the functioning of various state wings of the RSS and hold meetings with representatives of various social organisations. Bhagwat addressed the public meeting attended by thousands of RSS volunteer and followers. AFP PHOTO/Dibyangshu SARKAR (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR via Getty Images
Members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - National Volunteers Organisation - take part in a physical drill during a public meeting in Bangalore on November 22, 2009. RSS Chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat arrived in the city to review the functioning of various state wings of the RSS and hold meetings with representatives of various social organisations. Bhagwat addressed the public meeting attended by thousands of RSS volunteer and followers. AFP PHOTO/Dibyangshu SARKAR (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)

Women seeking entry into the sanctum sanctorum of various Hindu temples in India have found an unlikely ally in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The right-wing ideological organisation signalled a shift in their stand on the issue when its national general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi released the outfit's annual report at the ongoing three-day Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Nagaur in Rajasthan.

The issue of women's entry is "sensitive", according to the report, and the organisation called for a change in public mindset through discourse.

“Because of some unfair traditions, at certain places, there has been a lack of consensus on the question of temple entry," according to the report. "Wherever such a problem exists, attempts should be made to bring about a change of mind through proper discussion.”

The report calls men and women equal partners in religious and spiritual matters, and has called for discussion and dialogue to change the unfair tradition, instead of resorting to agitation.

RSS 'Grows Up'

The organisation also announced that it had decided to change its earlier uniform for volunteers from khaki shorts to brown trousers.

We have decided to replace khaki shorts with brown-colored full pants (RSS uniform): Bhaiyyaji Joshi pic.twitter.com/5REjbRsxYN

— RSS (@RSS_Org) March 13, 2016

The decision, spurred by a need to attract young members to the volunteers' fold, reportedly took several hours of deliberation. However, not everyone is reportedly happy with it.

Two thumbs up to RSS for growing up!

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.