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Khaki shorts, the trademark dress for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh cadres for 91 years, is out and is being replaced by brown trousers as the Sangh wants to move with the times.
The decision was taken at the three-day annual meeting of Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision-making body of RSS, held in Nagaur.
"We have decided to replace khaki half pant with brown pant. We are not rigid and take decisions according to the time," Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi, Sar-Karywah (general secretary) of the RSS, told a press conference.
Loose Khaki shorts have been the trademark of RSS cadres since the organisation's inception in 1925. Even though other parts of the uniform have been changed from time to time, khaki shorts remained in vogue till now.
Initially till 1940, the uniform of RSS was khaki shirt and shorts before white shirts were introduced. Leather shoes replaced long boots in 1973 and later rexine shoes were allowed.
Describing it as a "major change", Joshi said, "Pants are a regular feature in today's social life, so we took our decision accordingly."
Replying to questions, the RSS leader said, "We decided on brown colour though there is no specific reason for it but is commonly available and looks good."
When asked whether it will have any impact on the identification of the RSS volunteers, he said it will not have any adverse impact and will be a routine thing in next 4-6 months.
Joshi said that the pants will be designed in such a manner that these are comfortable in physical exercise.
With regard to increase in number of RSS 'shakhas' and people getting training, the organisation's second-in-command said it "does not have any relation" with the change of government at the Centre but has been a "continuous process" for the past few years.
"The work of the RSS has been continuously growing for the last two-three years. In our history of 90 years, we are at the peak today. Every year there has been a growth in number of shakhas, which (the growth) in 2015-16 was around 5,500," Joshi said.
As many as 10,413 shakhas added between 2012 and 2015, whereas an increase of 5,524 was registered in 2015-2016, he said.
As regards training, 1.14 lakh people were trained in the year 2015-16 and this number was 80,000 the previous year.
"Presently, across the country, the presence of Sangh is in around 58,000 villages. The organisation's work is increasing and acceptability growing," he said, adding "youth are joining us and the growth in our work is a good indication."
Asked if the increase in number of 'shakhas' was because of the influence of the Modi government, he said the growth was constant even before the new dispensation took over.
"PM Modi came to power in 2014 but there is a constant growth from 2010. I think it is a continuous process and does not have relation with the change of power," he said.