RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat
The valedictory session of the Karyakarta Vikas Varg was held in Nagpur on June 10, 2024. The chief guest on the occasion was Ramgiri Maharaj of Godavri Dhaam, Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, Dr Mohan Bhagwat Ji, and Sardar Iqbal Singh, in charge of the training camp.
Ramgiri Maharaj of Godavri Dhaam, while addressing the gathering of the RSS Karyakartas, lauded the RSS and said, “In Sangh, you get the Sanskaras, values to remain balanced in all conditions, whether favourable or adverse.” He further said that while one is associated with the RSS, one gets to learn about dedication and maintaining social harmony.
Ramgiri Maharaj highlighted the importance of the science of governance and added that a courageous man never leaves the path of justice.
Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, Dr Bhagwat, while addressing the gathering of Karyakartas, said, “Today is the Balidan Diwas of the fifth Guru, Arjun Dev ji Maharaj, who made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of the nation.”
Dr Bhagwat added that Guru Arjun Dev faced a lot of atrocities at the Gwalior fort, and for the cause of Dharma, he happily sacrificed his life.
Highlighting the sacrifice made by Maharana Pratap, whose Jayanti was celebrated yesterday along with that of, Birsa Munda Balidan Diwas, Bhagwat Ji stated, “We are witnessing this culmination of the training of a group dedicating themselves to the national cause.”
Speaking about the atmosphere following the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Dr Bhagwat addressed the misinformation circulating about the Sangh.
He emphasised that now that the election results are announced and the new government is formed, there’s no need to discuss the results any further. He stated that society has exercised its right and given a mandate. The Sangh does not involve itself in the specifics of the outcome; its role is to raise awareness and engage in lokmat parishkar during every election.
Dr Bhagwat remarked, “The Sangh works to refine public opinion in every election, including this one, without delving into the analysis of the results.”
Dr Bhagwat stated that elections occur every five years, following rules, regulations, and prevailing dynamics. He emphasised that while working, the Sangh always maintains dignity, never overstepping boundaries or trampling on anyone.
Quoting Sant Kabir, he said, “Nirbandha Bandha Rahe, Bandha nirbandha hoye..Karm kare karta nahi..das kahaye soye.” This means that a true sevak (servant) adheres to Marayada (decorum) in all tasks, which is how the Swayamsevaks of the RSS work, maintaining dignity without arrogance.
Regarding elections, Dr Bhagwat commented, “In an election, competition is inevitable, and it involves pushing others behind, but this must have limits and should not be based on falsehood. People are elected to evolve a consensus on various issues. Our tradition values consensus-building. The Rigveda Rishi understood the human mind and accepted that 100 per cent unanimity is impossible, but when society decides to work with consensus, it achieves Sah-Chitta.”
He stressed that lies and false narratives have no place in elections.
He added, “Why are there two sides in Parliament? So that both sides of any issue get addressed. Just like a coin has two sides, every issue has two perspectives. If one side is addressed by one party, the opposition should address the other side, ensuring a balanced decision is made.”
Dr Bhagwat spoke about the difficulty of evolving consensus among people engaged in fierce competition. This is why we have to rely on majority rule. Although the competition is intense, it is not war. He criticised the below-the-belt attacks by many and the disregard for the impact of campaign strategies that could lead to societal divisions, increasing social and mental fault lines, and unnecessarily involving organisations like the RSS.
He condemned the spread of absolute falsehoods using technology and questioned whether technology and knowledge were meant for such purposes.
Questioning the opposite forces, he asked, “How are they going to run the country like this? The ultimate goal for everyone is to guide the nation along the right path, but such tactics were used in the elections.”
Dr Bhagwat opens up on his fake video on the reservation that was circulated by the Opposition, saying, “Lies were propagated by misusing the technology”
Dr Bhagwat hailed Bharat for treading on the path of progress in the sphere of economy, defence sports, culture, technology, etc. However, he added that it does not mean that ,”We have overcome all the challenges.”
He further stated, “A new government has been formed, with the same NDA government taking charge. It’s true that many good things have happened in the last ten years. Our economic condition is improving according to global development standards, our defence preparedness has certainly improved, and our national prestige has increased worldwide. We are making strides in art, culture, science, and sports. Even developed countries have started recognising us. However, this doesn’t mean we have overcome all challenges.”
He highlighted issues like climate change and the water crisis, which are impacting public lives and need to be addressed rather than getting caught up in the fake narratives peddled during elections. With the environment under threat, only Bharat, culturally bound to protect nature, can lead the world in this area. But despite such cultural values, Bharat is struggling due to a disillusioned society. These cultural values need to be reaffirmed, and there is a need for a change in perception.
All developmental projects should be planned in a way that protects Mother Nature. The country cannot thrive amid crisis and violence. For example, Manipur has been waiting for peace for the last year. Previously, the region enjoyed ten years of peace, and the old gun culture had ended. However, suddenly, things took a turn for the worse, and violence erupted, whether spontaneously or instigated. The region is now burning and needs immediate address.
Emphasising the essence of democracy, Dr. Bhagwat said, “All over the world, society has changed, resulting in systemic change.” Referring to Dr. Ambedkar’s remark, he added, “For any major transformation, spiritual rejuvenation is essential. Diversity is also the expression of inherent unity.”
There is a cultural shift where basic family values are being lost. People are running over others with vehicles, children are growing up fatherless, and family members are showing a careless attitude towards others. This raises concerns about the well-being of Bharat’s culture. The government should consider enacting laws to protect these values, but society must also take the initiative to change. Even in our diversity, we have learned to stay together.
He addressed the prevailing untouchability in society and the efforts by the Swayamsevaks to eradicate it, emphasising that such practices are wrong and that society needs unity.
Dr Bhagwat also spoke about the advent of other religions in Bharat. He said, “Many invaders came to Bharat, bringing their religions with them. Some people here, for various reasons, adopted their thoughts and became their followers, which is acceptable. But now the invaders are gone, leaving behind their thoughts and followers. Bharat’s culture has no problem with these foreign thoughts, except when they promote the idea that only their religion is superior and others are inferior. There should be no conversion; all religions and sects are equal, and people should respect others’ faiths. Historical struggles and memories of invasion have caused division, but now is the time to move forward for the country’s betterment. It is difficult, but it must be done. Peace and harmony will come from Dharma, and we need to change ourselves to achieve this.”
Acceptance is essential, and the idea of jati and birth-based differences should be eliminated. This may be difficult, but it is necessary for the country’s unity. We are all one, and there should be all kinds of exchanges, including ‘Roti Beti’ relationships. However, some religions that came from outside believe only their religion is true and the rest are false because they lack spiritual depth. We need to focus on the spiritual aspects present in these religions, such as understanding the true teachings of Islam and the true values of Jesus.
Dr Bhagwat emphasised the importance of fostering social harmony by ensuring equal access to community resources such as temples, water sources, and crematoriums for all individuals, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. He also advocated for a more sustainable lifestyle by promoting the abandonment of plastic, conservation of water, and the greening of households through the “Harit Ghar” initiative.
Furthermore, Dr Bhagwat stressed the significance of self-reliance (“Swa“) in economic matters, encouraging people to become economically independent and resilient at the grassroots level. He also highlighted the importance of adhering to the rules and constitutional values of the country, and nurturing cultural values within families to ensure their transmission to future generations.
Dr Bhagwat underscored the need for families to spend quality time together at least once a week, discussing their ancestors and spreading positivity. This, he believes, is a traditional practice in Bharat that has been followed for thousands of years and can contribute to maintaining harmony not only within the country but also on a global scale.
He also mentioned that the Sangh works in all spheres of life, with no area being neglected. He emphasised the need for selfless service in the present times, both for the country and society. Building a strong foundation, according to Dr Bhagwat, is crucial for shaping a society that can withstand challenges and continue to grow.
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