To fight 'conversion', RSS will take 8,000 students from ‘deprived classes’ to Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh mela currently underway in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj will conclude on February 26.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will take nearly 8,000 students from deprived backgrounds, mainly from the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, to experience the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagaraj from Thursday.

According to Indian Express, RSS’ education wing Vidya Bharti said the students of Sanksar Kendras would be taken to the Kumbh Mela to ensure they are familiar with Hindu traditions and do  not “fall prey” to religious conversions. All students taking the trip will be above the age of 10 and will be accompanied by their parents. Around 2,100 students of 14 districts in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh will stay in the Maha Kumbh area between January 16 and 18.

“The objective of taking the students for ‘Kumbh darshan’ is to make them aware of India’s rich traditions and culture as well as the spiritual aspect of the Maha Kumbh. This will help when (Christian) missionaries reach their localities and try to convert them claiming they are not Hindus,” instructor of Seva Bharti schools in Awadh region, Ramji Singh, told Indian Express.

According to another RSS functionary, all touring students hail from the Dalit communities, which are referred to as “vanchit samaj (deprived classes)” in the Sangh.

As part of the programme, the children will visit various ashram of saints, akharas and the Sangam Ghat. The organisation has set up a camp in Sector 9 of the Mela area for their stay.

After the students from Awadh, almost the same number of students from the Goraksh (Gorakhpur) region will embark on the Kumbh visit from January 24 to 26, followed by students from Kashi and Kanpur regions. Discussions on facilitating visits for students from Western UP are currently underway, according to Indian Express.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officials to ensure seamless arrangements for the anticipated 8-10 crore devotees expected to participate in the Mauni Amavasya bathing ritual at the Sangam in Maha Kumbh on January 29.

Reviewing the preparations, the chief minister noted that over six crore pilgrims had taken the holy dip during the Paush Purnima and Makar Sankranti festivals.

The Maha Kumbh mela currently underway in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj will conclude on February 26. The Mahakumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years, started on January 13.