Bengaluru, Mar 23 (UNI) Amid escalating debates over the proposed delimitation exercise, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday stated that the Sangh would refrain from commenting until an official draft is available.
His remarks come as political leaders, particularly from southern states, express concerns over potential shifts in parliamentary representation.
“Political parties can make statements every day, but the Sangh cannot comment until a draft is in place,” Hosabale remarked during a press conference at the RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS). This cautious approach underscores the RSS’s intent to await concrete proposals before forming an official stance.
Concurrently, a significant assembly of political leaders convened in Chennai to address apprehensions regarding the Centre’s proposed population-based delimitation. Chief Ministers and representatives from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, and Punjab participated in the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Fair Delimitation.
The committee passed a resolution advocating for a 25-year extension of the current freeze on Lok Sabha constituencies based on the 1971 population census.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasised the potential threats posed by the delimitation plan to states that have effectively implemented population control measures. He warned that such states could face reduced representation, undermining the principles of federalism.
Stalin criticised the Union government’s approach, labeling it as a deliberate attempt to undermine certain states.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan echoed these sentiments, arguing that states successfully implementing national policies should be rewarded, not penalised. He described the proposed delimitation as a “Damocles’ sword” hanging over states.
Notably, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy abstained from the Chennai meeting. Instead, he addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concerns about the delimitation exercise and urging that no state should experience a reduction in its representation in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
Jagan highlighted that southern states, having effectively implemented population control measures, should not be penalised in terms of parliamentary representation.
Addressing broader socio-political issues, Hosabale emphasised the RSS’ integral role within society, stating, “Sangh has not set any parameters. It is an integral part of society; it is not separate from it, nor is it an organization outside of society.” He cited the construction of the Ram Temple as an achievement of the larger Hindu society and the nation, rather than solely of the RSS.
Marking Shaheed Diwas, Hosabale paid tribute to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, stating, “Today is March 23, the day when three revolutionaries sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. Their martyrdom is an inspiration for all of us. It is important to remember their sacrifice and keep their ideals alive. Their unwavering dedication to the nation continues to guide us even today.”
As discussions on delimitation progress, the RSS’s measured stance, coupled with the unified opposition from southern states, highlights the complexities surrounding the proposed exercise and its implications for India’s federal structure.
