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

“Even Muslim-majority countries do not allow prayers on roads and have designated places for worship,” Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) national publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar said in an interview with The Hindu.

Mr. Ambekar made the statement while responding to questions on how incidents in BJP-ruled States—such as FIRs over Namaz on roads, Iftar on a boat in the Ganga, or the Char Dham temples asking for ‘Sanatani’ affidavits—impact the RSS’s message of unity in diversity.

“When the government restricts Namaz 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 a democracy, if people feel these arrangements are not right, they can voice their opinion. We have media to raise our voice.”

Asked whether the Sangh sees any ideological conflict with the appointment of Nitin Nabin as the BJP chief, given his lack of prior association with the RSS or its affiliated organisations, Mr. Ambekar said Mr. Nabin has worked in the BJP for years and that the party is capable of imparting the core ideology of the organisation.

On the ongoing West Asia conflict, he said it is a time for Opposition parties to support the government and prioritise national interest above political ambitions. “War should be fought for truth and the welfare of the people, not for personal or selfish interests and I truly feel that India is following that right path,” he said.

Addressing concerns around demographic change and population imbalance, Mr. Ambekar linked them to historical lessons. “Some people understand that even if their worship practices change, they still share the same ancestors and history. But a section felt that because their traditions were altered, the country no longer belonged to them. This contributed to the partition of India—a phenomenon also seen elsewhere, like Lebanon,” he said.

He added that the RSS is working on the ground to promote awareness of shared ancestry and national unity, as highlighted by Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. “It is a long-term process. Meanwhile, it is crucial that those who do not understand this do not harm the country’s unity and integrity,” he said.

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

Answering a question on the Sangh’s views on youth-led protests in neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, and how India has not faced similar situations, Mr. Ambekar said democracy allows them to protest.

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

On the RSS’ expansion as it completed 100 years in 2025, Mr. Ambekar said its network of shakhas now conducts around 88,000 daily sessions, engaging several lakh participants. A new divisional level has been introduced to decentralise the organisational structure and extend outreach to villages, tehsils, and mandals across India.

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