RSS shorts won't be held up by leather belts

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar with a few friends in 1925 may have today metamorphosed into the world's largest ideological outfit but the 'ganvesh' (uniform) that forms an essential part of organization's pride has not changed much. Starting this summer, the RSS will effect only the third major change in it by giving up the natural leather belt for a synthetic one. For all the 85 years of its existence, a leather belt held a swayamsevak's trademark loose, khaki half-pants.

"But, come summer when the annual Sangh Shiksha Varg is held here, the leather belt will be replaced with a synthetic belt," Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh and spokesman Manmohan Vaidya told TOI on Thursday. "Over the years we had been depending on only one Kanpur-based manufacturer for supply of the belts. The Sangh had always put the condition that the leather used in belts should not be of slaughtered animals. Even then there were members, particularly of the Jain community, who were not comfortable wearing and often expressed their feelings in the Sangh forums. Now, with the availability of synthetic options, we have decided to go for it. This will also end our dependence on one manufacturer as we will be able to source from different suppliers," explained Vaidya

The RSS has decided to go in a synthetic belt in place of the leather belt. This will the third change in the dress of the outfit. The first major change in the Sangh uniform took place in 1940. "During the British era, the 'ganvesh' comprised both the pants and shirt of the same khaki cloth with the shirt carrying brass letters of RSS. This was changed then and the white shirt came in as it was more comfortable and more aesthetic," said spokesman Manmohan Vaidya. Then, in 1974, the long boots were replaced with regular black shoes and khaki socks matching the half pants. Now comes the third change. Vaidya firmly denied any plans for a change of the outsize, airy khaki pants that is more the butt of banter and has given Sangh volunteers wearing it embarrassing nickname of 'Chaddiwalah'.

A couple of years ago, there was speculation that it would be dumped for a more smart fulllength pants along with other changes in the dress. "These types of suggestions do come up and are discussed by the organization. But a change is effected only if there is an overwhelming consensus to support it," said Vaidya. "We are not rigid on the half pants. If we find it is an hindrance in the swayamsevak's work we will change it, provided there is a consensus of course. We realize that those not inclined towards the Sangh often cite the halfpants as an excuse. Otherwise there are millions who are comfortable in the khaki shorts because their main attraction is the ideology and the role model that the Sangh provides with its nationalistic task," said Vaidya.