Indians are one, irrespective of their styles of worship: Mohan Bhagwat

In an impactful unifying message, which touched upon almost every important issue that India faces today, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday emphasised that Indians are one irrespective of their ‘pooja padhati’ (style of worship).

At the concluding session of the RSS centenary lecture series – ‘100 Years of Sangh’s Journey: New Horizons’ – here, Bhagwat spoke without mincing words. Be it about ensuring reservation to weaker sections of society, Hindu-Muslim issues, population and family planning, New Education Policy (NEP), religious conversion, certain Hindu scriptures supporting discrimination, Indian languages, or the renaming of public places, he discussed it all with equal ease, as he replied to questions without holding his words back.

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To a query on Manusmiriti, which purported to promote an oppressive caste system, the RSS chief said the Sangh does not believe in ideas and thoughts promoted by the ancient scripture. “We don’t believe in it as we don’t promote casteism. Everybody is equal and must be treated that way,” he emphasised, adding that the whole system was created by some people to serve their vested interests.

It’s no longer the case. It’s been abolished and people are progressing leaving those oppressive thoughts and practices behind, but there are some who still have it in their minds, Bhagwat said.

He contended that a new ‘smiriti’ should be written keeping in mind the changed realities. “… Maybe that’s why Hindus have multiple scriptures,” he said, denouncing Manusmiriti.

On RSS’ relations with the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, he said we may suggest things at times, but the Sangh does not interfere with the working of the government ever. “We have had good relations with every government of the country. It’s not about having good relations only with the BJP-led government,” he added.

However, in the same breath, he said, “The government has its own expertise in whatever it does, and similarly, the Sangh has its own, and knowing that well, we function.

Touching upon the issue of the country’s partition in 1947, the RSS chief said that the “Sangh was not that powerful” those days, and “even if we opposed it, we could not stop it”.

Also, he said, without naming Pakistan, that people who separated on the basis of religion were actually trying to live by cutting themselves from the main body. “They are not happy. They are not doing well, simply because in case a hand is cut off from the body, it would be dead,” he opined.

He said that the RSS, which has completed hundred years of its formation, believes in the concept of ‘Akhand Bharat’ (united India), saying people living in the region, which was part of the united India, are the same irrespective of their religions. “Nothing has changed but the religion, their culture and everything related to life remains the same,” he said, adding that once it is realised there would be ‘Akhand Bharat’ once again.

Talking about the Sangh’s thoughts on issues such as infiltration, the fear of demographic change and matters related to the ever-increasing population of India, he said every family, and not just the Hindu families, must have three children as would be in the overall interest of the country.

Infiltration, he said, must be stopped as it is illegal entry into some other country. “India believing in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (world is one family) does not mean that anyone can come and stay here illegally,” he said, explaining that the world being one has certain rules that are to be followed.

Also, he strongly said that the education policy initiated by the British needs to be amended in accordance with the Indian requirements.

On the controversy over the language to be declared as national, the RSS leader clarified that all the languages originated in India are its national languages, there should be no fuss about it.