As part of re-organising its cadre, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is considering changing the uniform of its swayamsevaks (volunteers) from next year when it celebrates the birth centenary of its former chief, the late Guru Golwalkar.
"From the present half-pant and white shirt, it may switch over to full length trousers and T-shirts," sources close to RSS said today. "Presently RSS men going to shakhas (branches) in foreign countries do not wear the traditional attire [which consists of a white shirt, khaki shorts, and a black cap] but don jeans and T-shirts," the sources added.
The issue came up for discussion at a meeting of RSS functionaries drawn from 11 zones and 38 prants (provinces) held in Nagpur from July 14 to 21 and would be further discussed during another meeting to be held here from August 2 to 14 by RSS and its affiliated groups.
RSS shakhas were likely to be held exclusively for vocational and professional category and it was also considering allowing 'married pracharak (preachers)' to work together in rural areas.
On the women's front, the RSS was holding a meeting at Kanyakumari on September 12 where representatives of 35 affiliated organisations would participate. RSS Chief K Sudarshan was in favour of 50 percent women's participation instead of mere 33, the sources added.
The number of RSS shakhas, which was 63,791 in 1994, had gone up to 64,107 in 2004 and hence it was also decided to strengthen the RSS, the sources added.
More reports from Maharashtra
More from rediff