Rajasthan Lifts Ban on Government Employees | 27 Aug 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Rajasthan government has lifted the restriction on government employees participating in activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Key Points

  • The ban on joining the RSS has been in place in the State since 1972. The circular lifted the 52-year-old ban on the government officials.
    • Previous orders listed 17 organizations, with provisions for disciplinary action against government employees involved with them or participating in their activities.
    • Now, employees are permitted to join shakhas (morning assemblies) and engage in all other RSS activities.
  • In July 2024, the Centre lifted the ban on government officials taking part in the RSS activities followed by Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, etc.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

  • About:
    • It is a Hindu nationalist volunteer organisation founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Dr. K.B. Hedgewar in response to perceived threats to Hindu culture and society, particularly during British colonial rule.
    • It aims to promote the idea of Hindutva, which emphasises Hindu cultural and national identity.
  • Ideology:
    • The central ideology of the RSS, articulated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, promotes the idea that India is fundamentally a Hindu nation.
    • The RSS emphasises the importance of Indian culture and heritage, aiming to unite people under a common national identity.
    • The organization engages in various social service activities, including education, health care, and disaster relief, promoting the idea of "Seva" (service) among its members.