The RSS has changed the profile pictures of its social media accounts to the national flag from its traditional saffron flag.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier urged people to put the Tiranga as the profile picture of their social media accounts in view of the ongoing celebrations of 75 years of country’s Independence.

Social media display pictures of the RSS were changed to tricolour on Friday.

The RSS, the ideological mother of the ruling BJP, has been criticised by the Congress and other Opposition parties over its stand on the national flag and continuing with the “Bhagwa dhwaj”.

 Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh asked earlier this month if the organisation that did not hoist the national flag for 52 years would comply with the Prime Minister’s message to make the Tiranga the profile picture of its social media accounts.

The RSS has already extended its support to Har Ghar Tiranga and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav programmes. The sangh had in July appealed for full support and participation of the people and swayamsevaks in the programmes to be organised by the Government, private bodies and Sangh-related organisations, said RSS “Prachar Pramukh” Sunil Ambekar.

He said RSS workers were actively participating in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

The Central Government has urged people to hoist or display the national flag from their homes during August 13-15 as part of its programme.

The BJP has maintained that under the Modi-Government the tricolour has been flying high in Lal Chowk and Dal Lake in the Kashmir Valley where earlier it was “inconceivable” to unfurl it there.

The Congress has criticised the BJP for appropriating the grand legacy of the Tricolour and “politicizing” it.

As against it, the BJP has asked all parties to see Har Ghar Tiranga as a national programe beyond party politics.

Opposition parties did not participate in the “Tiranga Bike rally” organised by Union Culture Ministry on August 3 from Red Fort to Parliament, flagged off by then Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu.