New Delhi: In a strong message to hardliners and troublemakers, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasised the need to curb tendencies to provoke a particular community through events that, he said, are organised as a show of strength.
Bhagwat made these remarks in his annual Vijayadashami address from the Nagpur headquarters of the outfit, which is observing its centenary year.
The RSS chief said mutual exchanges within society should always be harmonious and disciplined, and that differences must be expressed within the framework of law.
Bhagwat said provoking communities is unacceptable and while the administration must act fairly, the youth must also stay alert and intervene if needed. “Everyone has their own faiths, mahapurush (great personalities), and places of worship. Care should be taken that they are not disrespected in mind, speech, or action,” he said.
Bhagwat elaborated that sometimes, either to elicit a particular reaction or provoke a specific community, a show of strength is organised in a planned manner. “The consequences of falling into their trap are not good, either in the short term or long term. It is necessary to curb these tendencies,” he said.
Further, the RSS chief stressed that diversity is India’s tradition and that we must embrace our differences.
Bhagwat also said the government and administration should perform their duties impartially. “But the virtuous strength of society and the young generation will also have to be alert and organised, and if needed, they will have to intervene.”
Emphasising the need for greater awareness in society, Bhagwat said following rules, maintaining order, and behaving harmoniously should become our nature. “For small or big matters, or merely due to suspicion in the mind, taking the law into one’s hands, coming out onto the streets, indulging in hooliganism or violence—this tendency is not right.”
Bhagwat, hailing the unity and diversity of the country, spoke about foreigners migrating to India over the past millennium. “Now the foreigners have left, but by accepting those communities, even today, many of our own brethren who follow them continue to exist in India for various reasons.”
He further said that the most important element in the rise of any country is the unity of its society. India, he said, is a land of diversity with different lifestyles, food habits, castes, sub-castes owing to various languages, numerous sects, and geographical diversity, among other factors. But all of these differences are welcomed and accepted, he said, adding that this is the Indian tradition.
“We do not view them with a sense of separation. We consider our diversities as our individual specialties and also understand the nature of taking pride in our respective uniqueness. However, these specialties should not become a cause of division. Despite all our individual uniqueness, we are all parts of one large society. As a society, a country, a culture, and a nation, we are one. This is our greatest identity and should always be our top priority,” he added.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)