14 March,2016 07:30 AM IST | | Agencies
RSS drops its 91-year-old tradition of khaki knickers, replaces it with brown trousers to keep up with changing times
Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis during Vijay Dashmi function at RSS headquarters in Nagpur
Nagpur: Khaki shorts, the trademark dress for RSS cadres for 91 years, is out and is being replaced by brown trousers, as the Sangh wants to move with the times.
knickers no more: Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis during Vijay Dashmi function at RSS headquarters in Nagpur. File Pic/PTI
The decision was taken at the three-day annual meeting of Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision-making body of RSS, held here. "We have decided to replace khaki half pant with brown pant. We are not rigid and take decisions according to the time," Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi, Sar-Karywah (general secretary) of the RSS, told media persons during a press conference.
Describing it as a âmajor change', Joshi said, "Pants are a regular feature in today's social life, so we took our decision accordingly.
We decided on brown colour though there is no specific reason for it but is commonly available and looks good." When asked whether it will have any impact on the identification of the RSS volunteers, he said it will not have any adverse impact and will be a routine thing in next 4-6 months.
The transformation
Loose khaki shorts have been the trademark of RSS cadres since the organisation's inception in 1925. Even though other parts of the uniform have been changed from time to time, khaki shorts remained in vogue till now. Initially till 1940, the uniform of RSS was khaki shirt and shorts before white shirts were introduced. Leather shoes replaced long boots in 1973 and later rexine shoes were allowed.
