RSS can't be banned at someone's whim: Hosabale
Jabalpur (MP) (PTI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has said the organisation cannot be banned just because somebody wishes so, and those making such a demand should learn from past experiences.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday after the conclusion of a three-day all-India executive meeting of the RSS in Jabalpur, Hosabale was replying to a question about Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's statement that the Sangh should be banned.
"Such attempts were made three times in the past. What did society say then? What did the court say? Despite all this, the Sangh's work kept growing. There must be valid reasons to impose a ban," he said.
"It cannot happen just because someone wishes so. If a leader says that an organisation working for the unity, security and culture of India should be banned, he must also state the reason," Hosabale added.
Society has accepted the RSS, and the "government system" too has ruled that such bans were wrong, the senior Sangh leader said, adding, "Those who now demand a ban should learn from past experiences."
To a question on banning the RSS at a press conference in Delhi on Friday, Congress president Kharge said, "It is my personal opinion, and I will say it openly, it should be done," and alleged that most of the law and order problems are arising because of the BJP and RSS.
Meanwhile, to a question on whether the Bihar or West Bengal elections were discussed at the RSS meeting, Hosabale said there was no discussion on the upcoming Bihar polls, but the Sangh's position was clear that people should vote in large numbers, and on issues concerning the nation and society, not based on caste or money.
"We work for public awareness on this," he said.
Polling in Bihar will be held on November 6 and 11, while votes will be counted on November 14.
As to West Bengal, Hosabale said the situation there was not discussed in this meeting, but there had been a discussion on it earlier.
"The situation there is serious. In the previous meeting, a resolution on Bengal was passed. The Sangh's work is expanding in the state, but hatred and animosity spread after the last elections due to the political leadership and the chief minister," he said.
Bengal is a border state and faces the pressure of people coming from Bangladesh, the RSS leader said, adding, "If the political leadership fails to end this menace, it would be unjust to keep Bengal, once a guiding state for India, in an atmosphere of instability and violence."
RSS volunteers were working to strengthen social unity in Bengal, he added.
On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Hosabale said it should be updated from time to time. "The list should be refined. What is the problem with that? If anyone has objections to the process, they can present them before the commission," he added.
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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.
The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."
The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.
Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.
According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.
It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.
If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.
In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.
It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.
The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.
It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.
“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.
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