New Delhi, July 7 (TIWN) From renovating and reviving deserted temples in the Kashmir Valley to expansion of new "shakhas" in the higher reaches of the Himalayas, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) seems to be on an expansion mode in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides expansion plans, the top leadership of the RSS also endorses fresh delimitation of Assembly constituencies in the state which would subsequently benefit the Jammu region by giving it more seats than Kashmir.

Top sources in the RSS office in New Delhi said that scores of ancient temples were deserted in the terror-hit valley and would now be renovated and revived for Hindu pilgrims. One such historic temple, dedicated to Goddess Kheer Bhawani, witnessed a huge gathering of Kashmiri Pandits at its annual festival last month. On the occasion, Governor Satya Pal Malik had ordered special arrangements for stay of Kashmiri Pundits at the temple, located 25 km from Srinagar.  RSS pracharaks are now trying to revive deserted temples not only in the valley region but also in Jammu.

On reviving ancient temples in the state, the RSS in its annual report (2019), says: "'Purmandal' is a holy place on the banks of Devika river, 40 km away from Jammu. Once a centre of Sanskrit learning, over a period of time this place has been ignored. To revive its (temple) importance a trust has been formed." 

To bring the minorities residing in border areas and places far off from Srinagar into the mainstream, RSS leaders have launched a mega project called "Ekal Vidyalaya" (one teacher, one class). "The concept is that a single teacher virtually runs a small school in a single class. Remote villages where education has not yet reached are covered under Ekal Vidyalaya," said a senior functionary of the RSS working in Jammu and Kashmir.