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“Efficient electoral processes are the backbone of democracy, and initiatives like SIR help strengthen this foundation,” said Sunil Ambekar, RSS national spokesperson
Sunil Ambekar called for SIR’s rigorous implementation nationwide for a ‘free and fair’ election. (File)
Throwing its weight behind the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has welcomed the poll body’s reported nationwide special intensive revision (SIR) initiative, emphasising its role in ensuring free and fair elections.
“Efficient electoral processes are the backbone of democracy, and initiatives like SIR help strengthen this foundation,” said Sunil Ambekar, Sangh’s Akhil Bhartiya Prachar Pramukh (national spokesperson), highlighting the need for transparency and meticulous voter verification.
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Ambekar also maintained that the Sangh has historically remained active at the grassroots and reiterated that similar efforts had been undertaken earlier. He called for SIR’s rigorous implementation nationwide for a ‘free and fair’ election. Ambekar was addressing the media following a three-day long RSS’s coordination meeting held at Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
Bengal & Punjab: Infiltration, drug addiction as social challenge
West Bengal and Punjab continue to feature prominently in discussions over the crucial issues around the country’s internal security and social stability.
In Bengal, Ambekar said that concerns have been raised over rising crime, infiltration, and deteriorating law and order conditions. “Multiple organisations have flagged these issues, with public complaints steadily increasing,” he added.
In Punjab, the menace of drug addiction remains a pressing concern. RSS and its affiliates are working closely with the police, administration, among the youth and also with government agencies on rehabilitation programs and awareness campaigns, aiming to restore societal balance and provide support to affected families, said Ambekar.
Language & NEP
During the three-day deliberation meeting, issues related to the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) and challenges related to the diverse language issues also emerged. The Sangh has also engaged with the implementation of the NEP, working alongside UGC and NCERT on curricular reforms by giving suggestions received from the groundwork and related surveys.
The emphasis is on updating textbooks in terms of language, cultural and historical content, and modernisation while ensuring that Indian languages are prioritised.
“While English has gained prominence, local languages must not be sidelined,” said Ambekar. Consensus-building, expert consultation, and consistent government coordination are seen as critical to this process, he added.
Textbooks in 22 languages and official circulars in multiple languages indicate progress in the process taken up by the government. He further added that English dominance continues to marginalise many in competitive arenas. Strengthening regional languages, according to the Sangh, is an ongoing process requiring sustained attention and outreach.
Tribal areas and Naxal-affected regions
Tribal regions, historically affected by Naxal and Maoist movements, are currently witnessing gradual improvement, said Ambekar, stating that the government interventions and ground-level work by organisations like Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram gradually took shape of a bright future in all these disturbed regions.
Through hostels, schools, and welfare programmes, stability is slowly returning, and incidents of violence are declining. Yet, new challenges persist, with some groups attempting to mislead tribal communities. “The Sangh continues to engage with these areas, focusing on education, welfare, and community trust-building to ensure long-term development and resilience,” he added.
Ambekar further added that Sangh and its affiliates are also working among young and women to inform them about the conspiracies leading to a disturbing social issue called as ‘love jihad’.
Northeast and communal harmony
In the Northeast, signs of recovery are visible as communities work to heal past divisions. In Manipur, following the Kuki-Meitei violent clashes, the Sangh and its affiliates are actively promoting dialogue and coordination among local community leaders and people. The efforts taken up by the Ministry of Home Affairs and its peace initiatives, including reopening the national highway for Meitei communities, Ambekar said that the Sangh welcomes such initiatives.
These efforts highlight a collaborative approach where grassroots engagement and government support converge to restore normalcy, he added. From addressing internal security in Bengal and Punjab to promoting linguistic diversity, implementing NEP reforms, and fostering communal harmony in the Northeast, the RSS in its coordination meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues while trying to portray itself as a continuously active organisation with a focus on ground-level solutions.
Initiatives like SIR, combined with sustained engagement in education, social welfare, and community building, reflect its multi-pronged strategy aimed at strengthening its presence across all sections of the society.
About the Author
Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa…Read More
Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa… Read More
September 07, 2025, 14:27 IST
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