The pervert mentality that takes glee in twisting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) ideology was yet again evident when the media at large misreported Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat’s words. The media not only mistranslated his speech but also coloured it in its own hue when he spoke on the occasion of venerated saint Sant Rohidas (Ravidas) on February 5.
Speaking at the 647th birth anniversary programmer organised by Ravidas Samaj Panchayat and Vasudha Charitable Trust at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi in Mumbai, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, “To our Creator, we are equal. There is no caste or sect. If some Pandits (scholars) citing scriptures are talking about caste-based discrimination, then it is false.”
However, these words were given a totally different meaning when appearing in news reports. Mainly Loksatta, the Marathi newspaper of Indian Express group, was at the forefront in misinformation tirade. Its news headline cried, “The Brahmins Created the Caste Differences.”
Actually, what Sarsanghchalak said was totally different. His exact words were, “He (Sant Ravidas) thought that he should explore the truth. What was the way towards the eternal truth? What it was actually like? He would not rely on the hearsay and thought of experiencing it first-hand. That he achieved in the company of Swami Ramanand ji. He realised that the truth was nothing but Ishwar. That Truth said that it existed in all beings, hence whatever be the name, the quality was same, respect was same and there was affinity for all. Nobody was high or low. The basis of scriptures, which the pundits cite, is a lie. We are confused in the whirlpool of concept of caste and caste heirarchy. This confusion has to be removed. Our knowledge and tradition does not specify this and this has to be explained to the society. This tradition stipulates that truth, religion and Karma should never be abandoned.”
Citing Sant Ravidas, Sarsanghchalak said that religion is not just about filling up one’s stomach. “Do your work, and do it according with your religion. Unite the society and work for its progress, as that is what religion is about. It is because of such thoughts and high ideals that many big names became disciples of Saint Rohidas,” the Dr. Bhagwat said.
He said that Sant Ravidas told this same thing to Sikandar Lodhi and clarified to the latter that he wouldn’t abandon Hindu faith. The faith of Vedas is superior, even superior to your Islam. Sikandar Lodhi put handcuffs on him and put him in jail. But what happened? He had the darshan of Saguna Krishna. Sant Ravidas put his own example for the society that never ever abandon your faith even when your life is in peril.
However, this was largely heeded by the media baying for some mischief to play and highlighted a part which was never there in the first place. This is not the first instance of such a mischief being played with Sarsanghchalak’s words.
A few months, his speech during a programme in Nagpur was largely twisted and words Brahmin was inserted deliberately to create controversy. While the Sarsanghchalak had said that the so called higher castes should come forward to rectify the ill-effects of caste system, the media had reported that ‘Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that Brahmins should take penance for the caste system’.
Speaking on the issue, Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Prasar Pramukh clarified, “Yesterday (February 5) Pujaniya Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat was speaking on the occasion of Sant Ravidas Jayanti in Mumbai. In his address, he used the word ‘Pundit’, which means ‘Vidvan’ (Scholar). Based on the feelings of Hindu saints, Dr Bhagwat said, the truth is that Bhagwan (God) is omnipresent. Whatever the name may be, but the ability and respect are same and everyone is equal. Therefore, nobody is superior or inferior by birth. Scholars, who talk about caste quoting scriptures, is a false”. This was the statement made by Dr Mohan Bhagwat, he added.
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