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RAIPUR, INDIA, July 23, 2004: The RSS, India’s largest social service organization, is reportedly reconsidering the rule that forbids pracharaks, those dedicating their life to work for the organization, from having familial ties. The rule effectively prevents pracharaks from getting married. The Sangh is worried because the recruitment level of swayamsevaks is falling. And the fact that a group of Mumbai-based psychologists has said that bachelorhood induces cynicism in pracharaks after they cross 50 has forced the organization to consider scrapping the family clause. Reports also say wives of pracharaks will be deployed in rural areas to work for the RSS.



The psychologists, who were hired by the RSS to study the behaviour of pracharaks, said they tended to become reclusive in mid-life and could not integrate with the mainstream. RSS leaders who met twice recently — in Raipur and Nagpur — reportedly discussed the issue and concluded that this was harming the organization. Sangh spokesperson Ram Madhav, however, denied reports that a dilution of the rule was on the cards.



Reports say the organization plans to tell its pracharaks to be more social. Some RSS leaders reportedly cited the example of the second RSS sarsanghchalak (leader), M.S. Golwalkar, who kept in touch with a wide range of people, including writers and scientists. They also spoke of Balasaheb Deoras, Golwalkar’s successor, who was an introvert but was socially visible. The leaders also mentioned M.G. Vaidya, who married after being a pracharak, and was not considered for the top job in the organization.



The RSS leadership is also considering a change of uniform. In May 2005, they may do away with the trademark khaki shorts reminiscent of a British World War I uniform in favor of an all-white outfit, which may consist of a shirt or T-shirt with trousers.

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