Increase in children joining RSS shakhas in Karnataka

With schools closed, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) says it has seen a rise in the number of children (10 to 16 years) joining its shakhas in the state. Data shared by RSS functionaries also show the number of shakhas has grown by 5% despite the pandemic in the past two years.
After lockdown restrictions were lifted, shakhas offered free tuitions and sports and games which were a major attraction.As per Sangh Parivar estimates, from 4,404 shakhas in 2019 in Karnataka, the number has risen to 4,614 by 2021.
“This is just our estimate. We believe the numbers will increase when official data is published,” said an RSS functionary. Since schools were closed, kids were deprived of physical activity and mingling and shakhas stepped in. Functionaries say children just wanted to spend quality time with peers.
However, while the number of shakhas increased from 1,108 to 1,363 in North Karnataka, in Dakshina Prantha (south and central Karnataka) the number fell from 3,296 in 2019 to 3,255 in 2021. But functionaries say the concentration of children has substan tially increased.
Raghvendra Kagwad, a local RSS functionary in Belagavi, said a “record” number of kids joined RSS shakhas during the pandemic. “We even started 50 more shakhas — 33 daily and 18 weekly shakhas — to cater to this demand,” he said.
Before the pandemic, shakhas for children in the evening saw attendance of about 10-12 children but now it has gone up to 25 to 30, said Kagwad. Local units have formed new shakhas in places where demand is high and to reach out to the masses. In North Karnataka under the banner ‘Subodha’, the Sangh provides free tuition to kids which has been a big attraction. In Bengaluru, the Bala Bharati programme has also received good response.
In Dakshina Kannada, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, Dakshina Ksehtriya Karyakarini Sadasya, said even in newly opened shakhas, a good number of children are partaking in activities. But none could give the exact increase in numbers.
CR Narendran of Karnataka Uttara Prantha Pracharak, said: “Children are reluctant to go home in the evening because of the activities the Parivar offers. During both lockdowns, our workers studying in colleges were asked to take tuitions for children in their areas under the name of Subodha. Besides maths, physics and other subjects, they also imparted moral education.”
In Udupi, Raichur, Uttara Kannada and Kalaburagi too, the number children joining has increased, RSS sources said. RSS functionaries said due to the immense social work during the pandemic, people are eager to join them.
After lockdown curbs were lifted, shakhas offered free tuitions and games which are a major attraction