Forget acrimony generated during elections

Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat on June 16 urged the political leaders of various parties to shun animosity generated during the campaigning for 2019 Lok Sabha elections and act in the interest of the nation lest the elements inimical to India’s growth as a world leader would take advantage of our disunity and prevent India from becoming a world leader in the future.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of the Third Year Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV). A total of 828 participants in the age group of 20 to 40 years drawn from 754 places in 482 districts of India attended the rigorous training camp braving the scorching summer of Nagpur with temperatures ranging between 42 to 47 degrees Celsius throughout the camp period.

The participants belonged to varied social strata and academic background including chartered accountants, professors, teachers, students, research scholars, doctors and farmers. Besides, there were 107 trainers and 38 Prant Pramukhs in addition to 150 prabandhaks to manage the daily routine of the 25-day long camp.

The RSS holds such camps all over the country in its three-tier training system evolved since these camps started a couple of years after the RSS was founded in 1925. The basic objective of these camps is to train the manpower well conversant in the RSS ethos, ideology and training techniques so that they can impart this training to the individuals at the Shakha level. The first and second year training camps are held at respective Prant and Khsetra levels, (the RSS has divided the country into 44 Prants and 11 Kshetras for its organisational convenience) but for this Third Year SSV which is quintessentially held at Nagpur- the birthplace of RSS and ‘Karmabhumi’ of its founder Dr KB Hedgewar and his successors MS Golwalkar ‘Guruji’ and Balasaheb Deoras.

At the Varg, the participants follow a rigorous routine which begins at 4.30 am and continues till 10 pm full of physical, intellectual and service activities. Senior office-bearers and experts deliberate on various ideological issues explain the finer nuances of the RSS philosophy vis-à-vis current situation and expectations of the society from the organisation and how to fulfil them.

As the camp concluded on June 16, Shri Bhagwat exhorted the political leaders of various parties to desist from spreading division in the society. Quoting Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar he said that we were enslaved because we were divided as a society in the past. India is progressing and marching ahead. But if we continue to nurse our differences and divide the society, the forces inimical to India’s growth as a world leader will surely take advantage of this and stall our progress, Shri Bhagwat warned.

Elections are an unavoidable part of democracy and people elect one party to power which invariably means the other has to taste the defeat. But as soon as the elections are over, we must shun all the differences and acrimony generated during the electioneering and work cohesively for the growth and progress of the country and the society, the RSS Sarsanghachalak said in an obvious reference to what is happening in Bengal post elections.

He called upon the winning party and those defeated parties to shun criticism and violence and work in the interest of the nation. He also cautioned the ruling party against being complacent. People have elected them for the second time consecutively because of their past performances and expectations for the future. Now it is their duty to work for the fulfilment of those expectations of the people and honour their mandate, he said in his first public address after the General Elections of 2019.

Shri Bhagwat said, “The party that has come to power has got a stronger mandate in the second tenure. This means the people have reposed higher faith in the party. Some of the promises have been fulfilled and some more remained to be delivered”.

Commenting on the defeated parties, he said that some parties seem to have not been able to digest the defeat. What is happening in Bengal is the best example of this. Maintaining law and order is the fundamental duty of the state government and administration. But what is happening in Bengal?, he asked. Those who lost in the polls should take their defeat sportingly and the winners also should not be overwhelmed by the pride of victory, he said.

Certain elements are trying to divide the nation for their vested interests, Shri Bhagwat cautioned, saying that if they succeeded the achievements of post-Independence would be wiped out. He also warned the people to be cautious about the ‘Trojan Horse’ hiding and waiting to strike.

Invoking Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Sarsanghachalak said that he had stressed on brotherhood as a precondition for achieving freedom and keeping the society united. It is still the need of the hour, he added urging the leaders and people both to follow his teachings to safeguard freedom and equality. Both of them are meaningless unless there is brotherhood, he said adding that the country at present needs the feeling of brotherhood to keep a balance between freedom and equality.

Sarvadhikari Prof Aniruddh Deshpande, Sanghachalak of Vidarbha Prant Shri Ram Harkare and Nagpur Mahanagar Sanghachalak Shri Rajesh Loya also shared the dais. Special invitees for this function included Sri Chitranjan Maharaj from Tripura, Dr K Krishnaswamy from Coimbatore, a former diplomat and IFS Ramesh Chandra, twin researchers Yashraj and Yuvraj, Krush Gopalkrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures and Co-Chairman Infosys, PC Dora Swamy and Shriniwasa, Industrialist.

Earlier, Prof Aniruddha Deshpande made introductory remarks and proposed vote of thanks. Shri Rajesh Loya introduced the special guests to the audience. Swayamsevaks presented various performances of physical drill, niyuddh, ghosh, yogasana and vyayam yoga.