Why is everyone talking about Milind Soman and RSS?
What's the story
Since Tuesday, Milind Soman has been trending big time on Twitter. However, it's not because of a fresh fitness achievement or a new movie. This time, the 54-year-old actor-model has become the talk of the town after he revealed that he briefly went to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakha [branch] during his childhood. And now, Milind has said the reactions have amazed him.
Details
Milind said he attended an RSS shakha during his childhood
It all started after The Print on Tuesday published an excerpt from Milind's book Made in India. In the excerpt, the actor revealed that he was enrolled at a Mumbai branch of the right-wing organization when he was 10 years old. "The other thing that happened around the time I started swimming was my enrolment with the RSS," Milind shared in the memoir.
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Milind shared his father believed in the benefits of RSS
In the memoir, that Milind co-wrote with author Roopa Pai, the actor said that even though he as a "happy loner" was reluctant, his father believed in the benefits of RSS. He said his father believed in "benefits that would accrue to a young boy in terms of disciplined living, physical fitness and right thinking, from being part of the junior cadres of RSS."
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Feel baffled when media attributes communal propaganda to RSS: Milind
Milind further added that he feels "baffled" when the media attributes communal connotations with RSS. He wrote, "When I read today all the subversive, communal propaganda the media attributes to RSS shakhas, I am frankly baffled", adding that his "memories of what happened at our shakha between 6 and 7 pm each weekday evening are completely different."
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We marched, did yoga, sang songs, Milind wrote
Sharing his own experience at the RSS branch he attended, Milind added, "We marched about in our khaki shorts, did some yoga, worked out in a traditional outdoor gymnasium with no fancy equipment." "[We] sang songs and chanted Sanskrit verses that we did not understand the meanings of, played games and had a bunch of fun with our fellows," he went on.
Reactions
Milind's comments created a stir on Twitter
However, soon after Milind's comments surfaced, they divided opinions. While many supported Milind for sharing his experience without fear, others weren't quite happy about his association with RSS, whereas some others used the opportunity to launch a meme fest. Reacting to the stir, Milind said he was amazed to be trending at 54 for an experience he had at the age of 10.
Twitter Post
You can read Milind's tweet here
Trending at 54 for an experience I had at the age of 10. 🤪🤪🤪🤪 wish it was about swimming, which was at the same time!
— Milind Usha Soman (@milindrunning) March 10, 2020