Even Muslim-majority countries don’t allow Namaz on roads, says Sunil Ambekar of RSS

“Even Muslim-majority countries do not allow worship on roads and have designated places of worship,” said Sunil Ambekar, national publicity officer of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hindu.

Mr. Ambekar made this statement while responding to questions on how incidents like FIRs during prayers on roads in BJP-ruled states, iftar on a boat on the Ganga or seeking ‘Sanatani’ declaration at Char Dham temples have affected the RSS’s message of unity in diversity.

“When the government restricts Prayer On roads, it should be seen as a law-and-order decision, not a religious restriction,” he said. On the temple issue, he added, “Arrangements at places of worship are made for those who have faith in that religion. In democracies, people can voice their opinions if they think these regulations are not correct. “We have the media to raise our voices.”

Asked whether the Sangh sees any ideological contradiction in the appointment of Nitin Nabin as the BJP chief given his lack of previous association with the RSS or its affiliates, Mr. Ambekar said Mr. Nabin has been with the BJP for years and the party has the capacity to convey the organisation’s core ideology.

Regarding the ongoing West Asian conflict, he said it was time for Opposition parties to support the government and keep national interests ahead of political ambitions. “War should be fought for truth and the welfare of the people, not for personal or selfish interests, and I believe India is truly following this right path,” he said.

Addressing concerns about demographic change and population imbalance, Mr. Ambekar related these to historical lessons. “Some people understand that they share the same ancestors and history, even if their worship practices have changed. But a section felt that the country was no longer theirs because their traditions had changed. This contributed to the partition of India, a phenomenon also seen in other places such as Lebanon,” he said.

He added that the RSS was working on the ground to promote awareness of common ancestry and national unity, as emphasized by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. “This is a long-term process. On the other hand, it is also very important that those who do not understand this do not harm the unity and integrity of the country,” he said.

Mr. Ambekar argued that measures such as Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) are constitutional processes aimed at protecting national interests. “Illegal entrants face legal action, and the system allows for review and correction for anyone mistakenly excluded,” he said.

Responding to a question on the Sangh’s views on youth-led protests in neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh and how India has not faced similar situations, Mr. Ambekar said democracy provides them with the opportunity to protest.

“Indian youth are extremely enthusiastic. They are focused on taking the country forward and feel that the government is working in their interest. They respect the Constitution and operate within the framework of the Constitution to contribute to national development,” Mr. Ambekar said. He said India’s youth took to the streets during the freedom struggle, the Emergency and in 2010 against corruption and atrocities against women.

About the expansion of RSS, which completes its 100th anniversary in 2025, Mr. Ambekar said: shakhas it currently conducts around 88,000 daily sessions and engages several lakh participants. A new departmental level was introduced to centralize the organizational structure and expand reach to villages, tehsils and mandals across India.

“Our vision remains consistent: to promote unity, national development and security guided by the principles on which the Sangh was founded a century ago,” he said.