Visakhapatnam, Aug 21 (PTI) The demographic imbalance in some regions and its impact on harmony, the recent youth protests, and related systemic failures were among the issues discussed during the three-day RSS coordination meeting here, a senior Sangh leader said on Friday.
Briefing reporters about the Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak that concluded here, Saffron outfit leader C R Mukunda said the Jantar Mantar protests reflect “failures” in the system. It cannot be seen merely as an issue of corruption and the government must take steps to address these gaps.
Office-bearers and workers of 32 Sangh-affiliated organisations participated in the coordination meeting, which concluded on August 21.
On demographic changes, he said certain communities were witnessing a massive increase in their population while others were decreasing and this imbalance has been debated.
“The all-India coordination meeting held wide-ranging discussions on demographic imbalance, drug abuse, youth concerns, systemic shortcomings and the need for constructive efforts by government and society,” Mukunda said.
“Demographic change is happening. As we all know, all over the globe, this is a very challenging thing. There are many countries which are going through an aging population challenge,” he said.
However, he noted that India is currently endowed with the world’s largest youth population while its entire population is also the largest in the world.
Though India is blessed with these two strengths, Mukunda noted that demographic experts flagged that aging crisis will hit the country in the next three to four decades.
Further, he underscored that fertility rate is diminishing with demographic imbalances, leading to societal disturbances in some regions.
“Certain classes or certain communities are seeing a massive increase in their population while other communities and classes are seeing a decrease—this imbalance was taken up seriously here and it was discussed,” he said.
He noted that the meeting deliberated on what the Sangh-inspired organisations are thinking and planning to face these challenges.
He said the meeting discussed the “growing spread of drugs” into smaller cities, villages and schools, particularly affecting children and youth. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to address the menace.
On youth aspirations vis-a-vis protests, he said change cannot be brought through disruption or destruction.
The meeting discussed the recent protests in the national capital as a symptom of a larger problem, he said, and added that the government must respond to concerns that extend beyond individual issues such as NEET.
Asserting that education, employment and aspirations in a rapidly changing society are all part of the wider conversation, he said that in view of challenges, issues must be handled constructively, and society and the government must collaborate.
Answering a question related to the recent protests staged at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and the underlying factors, Mukunda told reporters that the protests indicated that the matter went beyond corruption.
It included “some failures and whole failure in the system,” he said, hinting at broader administrative and institutional shortcomings.
“So, Sangh and our all inspired organisation want the system to run in a good way. So to do that, the government has to take some steps, and society also has to be awakened to set right the system,” he said.
Further, he said: “When talking about the youth community and their concerns…one of the issues is that youth are concerned about systemic failures, whether it is regarding NEET or other matters. We must address the concerns of the youth community and the anxieties they hold regarding their future.” “It is not just about NEET or just one government; there are various shortcomings in systems across the country.” To overcome this, both the government and society alike need to work together. It was with this perspective that the RSS meeting deliberated and discussed the issue, he added.
The RSS leader said: “Change cannot be brought about through disruption or destruction; things must be approached from a constructive, positive perspective. We must strive to fix things. As I mentioned, the youth community has concerns and anxieties about this. Society must understand it, and the government must take steps and is taking steps. We deliberated on this.” On the broader context of action in tackling drug peddling, he said: “While the government is making some efforts in this regard, society also needs to act.” Concerns of youth, what needs to be done for their future, and their contribution to the country were discussed in the three-day meeting, he said.
To a question on the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming tour to the US, Canada and the UK, Mukunda said it was part of the RSS’s centenary celebrations and its global outreach programme. The objective is to counter propaganda and misinformation campaigns against India, Hindus and the RSS.
A total of 326 delegates were invited to the meeting held in Visakhapatnam, including women leaders from various organisations. Forty-nine women delegates participated in the three-day meeting, the RSS said in a release. PTI STH MS VGN PYK VGN KH
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