Mohan Bhagwat invokes Sant Ravidas, stresses diversity and social harmony
NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the organisation’s annual Vijayadashami event in Nagpur on Tuesday, marking the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).“The recent massive tragedy in Nepal — what happened there is due to the one-sided development in the Himalayan region. This is causing disasters everywhere in the Himalayan region…”In his speech at the Sangh headquarters, Bhagwat touched upon a range of issues, from social concerns to current geopolitical challenges.Former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar attended the event as the chief guest.Earlier in the day, he performed shastra puja (weapon worship) at the RSS’s Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur.Here are the key quotes from Bhagwat’s address:
- “India is a land of diversity; our traditional character has been to accept and protect this diversity.”
- “When our country was reeling under the attacks of foreign invaders, when they were unleashing terror on those who followed ‘svadharma’ here, and there was an atmosphere of terror, Sant Ravidas spread the message of ‘svadharma nishtha’, social harmony, and devotion. Through the example of his own life, he comforted society at the time and boosted its morale, while upholding its values.”
- “Sangh’s works, which have been ongoing for 100 years, are something that awakens ‘sva’. On the basis of the ethos of that ‘sva’, efforts are being made to unite India and make it stronger.”
- “‘Svabodh’ is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution – “We, the people of India.” That sense of ‘we’, ‘sva’ is our emotional bonding with which such a multidiverse country has always been one country, one society, one nation since ancient times.”
- “Sow a thought and you reap action; sow character and you reap destiny.”
- “Whether you visit temples, monasteries, or gurudwaras, you will encounter the same knowledge and spiritual guidance. Wherever you go within the Indian ideology, you will find this same wisdom — respect and accept every form of diversity and provide protection to all.”
- “Need to regulate OTT content; youth absorbing content sans discretion.”
- “It is due to the lack of such discernment that a serious problem has emerged: drug addiction. It is not that people are unaware that drugs are harmful and potentially fatal. They know this, yet they still develop an addiction, and it has become a serious national problem.”
- “The recent massive tragedy in Nepal — what happened there is due to the one-sided development in the Himalayan region. This is causing disasters everywhere in the Himalayan region…”
- “A storm has blown in from the West that opposes every form of order, propriety, auspiciousness, culture, and human values, seeking to destroy, corrupt, and ruin them. Even developed nations are affected by it. Just look at the news reports from recent days, what is happening in France, Albania, Bangladesh, and Nepal… Our society is vast, and our country is still developing, so challenges persist… Whether it is protesting groups, authorities enforcing law and order, or political leaders, no actions should create conflict, hatred, bitterness, or division within our united society. No matter how strong emotions run, our actions must stay within the boundaries of the Constitution, the law, and civil decorum…”
