Decentralisation of responsibilities, expansion of organisational activities at the grassroots level and the development of new leadership will be the key objectives of a major restructuring planned by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Under the proposed changes, the existing provincial system will be phased out after 2027 and replaced by a divisional structure. A senior RSS office-bearer, speaking to The Hitavada, said the reorganisation would distribute responsibilities more widely and give grassroots swayamsevaks greater opportunities to take initiative, demonstrate their leadership abilities and shoulder organisational duties. The idea behind the exercise is Karya Vistar, or expansion of organisational work through decentralisation.

 

The restructuring is also expected to bring more workers into active roles and create a new generation of leaders within the organisation. Explaining the impact of the approach, the office-bearer cited the example of Path Sanchalan. Earlier, a district-level march would typically attract between 1000 and 1,200 participants. However, between October 15 and 25 this year, around 180 basti-level marches are being organised across the district, with more than 5,000 participants. Instead of a single district-level address, separate programmes and addresses are being held at the local level.

 

The example, he said, illustrates how decentralisation can widen participation and bring organisational activities closer to local communities. Under the proposed structure, divisional executives will assume responsibilities currently handled by regional bodies. In Madhya Bharat Prant, Gwalior division will include the Chambal region while Narmadapuram will be brought under the Bhopal division. The divisional units will perform the functions presently assigned to regional-level office-bearers. Consequently, positions such as Prant Sanghchalak, Prant Karyawah and Prant Pracharak are expected to be discontinued under the new arrangement. The current regional body will continue until 2026, thereafter, a state-level committee with limited responsibilities will coordinate activities across divisions and maintain communication between the RSS and government. The restructuring reflects the organisation’s effort to strengthen its grassroots network by distributing responsibilities, encouraging wider participation and providing more swayamsevaks with opportunities to lead.