The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday launched a nationwide ‘Dhwaj Yatra’ (flag rally) from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, saying the initiative aims to address what it described as “misgivings” and misconceptions about the organisation among sections of the public.

The yatra was symbolically flagged off from Srinagar’s historic Lal Chowk and concluded locally at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), from where participants departed in vehicles for the onward journey to different parts of the country.

Participants said the outreach programme is intended to present the organisation’s perspective, history and activities directly to the people. “The aim of this yatra is to clear the misgivings that the RSS is against some people. We also want to convey the real history to people, who have been fed a distorted version so far,” one of the participants, Veer Kapoor, said.

Organisers said the rally is part of a broader series of events being planned to mark 100 years of the RSS. As part of the centenary outreach, a film titled Shatak, based on the organisation’s journey and contributions, has been produced and is scheduled for release on February 19.

The yatra is expected to pass through multiple states as part of a pan-India public engagement campaign.