But in the second year the number of new members had come down to 3,226 and only 178 old members participated. In the third and final year, the new converts were down to 846 and 179 old members were in the ranks. 

The most worrying thing for the RSS was the fact that there seemed to be a crisis of faith among the converted since the programmes, popularly called "OTC", were held for swayamsevaks to learn "right values". RSS sources say that the figures have given rise to introspection. 

When contacted by the Hindustan Times, the RSS refused to comment. A spokesman insisted that it was an internal matter. 

This is not a 'secular' fantasy. The report says that the RSS had 30,752 branches and 41,382 sub-branches in March 2001. Seven hundred branches came up since, which the RSS described as alpvritti (little growth). 

It also says that a series of 8,001 weekly meetings were held where members were taught how to wield a lathi correctly and that the RSS was "discouraged" and forced to hold a "nutan sampark programme"