Nagpur, July 14: Concerned over the public perception of Sangh Parivar, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani has advised the RSS to take advantage of media and communication technology to correct its "misprojected" image as a divisive and communal outfit.
In an interaction with senior RSS functionaries from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra at its Reshimbagh headquarters here yesterday, Advani said some differences had crept in between the reality and image of the organisation, Sangh sources told.
At a closed door meeting attended among others by RSS chief K S Sudarshan, Advani is believed to have said the difference in public perception had to be removed as it was projecting RSS in a "bad light".
While such differences may be good for a politician, it was not good for an organisation like RSS as its reality was ardent nationalism while the image was that of a divisive and communal organisation, said Advani, according to the sources.
He urged the Sangh fountainhead to take advantage of media and communication technology to "project the correct picture," they said.
Earlier, at the brainstorming session of the Sangh Parivar in Delhi few months back, Advani had reportedly expressed concern over VHP's projection as a "trishul weilding outfit."
Advani's suggestion also comes close on the heels of counsel given by RSS to BJP at the peak of the leadership controversy that it should focus on principles and ideology instead of individuals.
Bureau Report