GANDHINAGAR (TIP): On Vijaya Dashmi day on Tuesday, the 90th foundation day of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), its volunteers – donning the new uniform in which pants have supplanted shorts -vowed to end discrimination against dalits and adivasis. The volunteers pledged to strive for social harmony in Hindu society. Around 5,000 volunteers across Ahmedabad participated in seven sthapana-din

(foundation day) pathsanchalan (parades), wearing the new dark-brown trousers that have replaced the flared khaki shorts. Brown-green socks and brown belts are part of the kit. White shirts and black caps have been retained from the traditional uniform.

Drawing inspiration from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s speech delivered in Nagpur, RSS volunteers in Ahmedabad, and across Gujarat, affirmed the new goals of the RSS. Vijay Thakkar, 45, a senior bank officer and prant prachar pramukh (state publicity in-charge) said: “Barring fundamental ideas such as Hindu Rashtra, bhagwa (saffron) flag, and unity in the country, all traditions can be changed in the sangh with changing times.”