Hot at 54, Milind Soman, on Tuesday, trended majorly, courtesy his memoir titled Made In India. The actor-model and athlete, in his book, revealed that as a child, he was a part of the political party Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) and went to their shakhas (training centres) to participate in their activities. The excerpts that leaked on social media platforms had him mention that he would visit RSS, known for their pro-Hindutva propaganda, at their Shivaji Park, Dadar, branch. He further revealed that his late father encouraged him to participate in those activities as he "was a great believer in the 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 the RSS."
Milind further recalled the activities that he would do with the RSS members. He also said that he is 'baffled' with the fact that the media portrays the party as 'subversive and communal'. Defending it, he added that back then, the participants would march in khaki shorts, did yoga and chanted Sanskrit verses and played games. “When I read today all the subversive, communal propaganda the media attributes to RSS shakhas, I am frankly baffled. My memories of what happened at our shakha between 6 and 7 p.m. each weekday evening are completely different—we marched about in our khaki shorts, did some yoga, worked out in a traditional outdoor gymnasium with no fancy equipment, 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,” Milind stated.
Supermodel, Actor, Film producer & Fitness promoter Shri Milind Soman shares his Childhood experience in RSS...
Please listen carefully...@friendsofrss @rammadhavbjp @blsanthosh @SunilAmbekarM @kumarnandaj @rvaidya2000 @ShefVaidya @RatanSharda55 @prafullaketkar pic.twitter.com/jjkAZx9uhT— Adarsh Hegde (@adarshhgd) March 10, 2020
Soon after these statements went viral, social media couldn't keep calm and lashed out at Milind for his pro-RSS comments. Trending on Twitter, Milind left the users divided. However, on noticing the happenings, the 54-year-old handsome, on his Twitter handle, shared a post saying, "Trending at 54 for an experience I had at the age of 10. wish it was about swimming, which was at the same time!"
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
(Source: Twitter/The Print)