On June 5, 2025 at Nagpur, while addressing the closing ceremony of Karyakarta Vikas Varg- Dwitya, a twenty-five day training programme for the Sangh functionaries from all parts of the country, Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, “In the inhuman attack at Pahalgam, terrorists killed innocent citizens of our country. There was natural anger and grief among all. Necessary action was taken. In these times, the capability and valour of our Armed Forces yet again came to the fore. Our innovation and research in the defence sector proved to be effective. We have to be self-reliant when it comes to our security. Newer technologies should be developed, and research must be undertaken”.
Key Takeaways from Dr Mohan Bhagwat’s speech
- In the inhuman attack at Pahalgam, terrorists killed common citizens of our country. There was a natural anger and grief in our minds. Necessary action was taken. The capability and valour of our Armed Forces yet again came to the fore in this operation. Our innovation and research in defence sector proved to be effective
- We have to be Aatmanirbhar when it comes to our security. Newer technology should be developed and research should be done
- Our roots are in unity and not in diversity
- We are one from our ancestors. Confusion was created by the British. We had forgotten, but now we have to be one. In reality, entire world is one, humanity is one
- Conversion is a violence
- Tribal society is not a separate society. Our culture is born out of forests and farms. Tribal society is our core.
- There will be transformation–transformation is inevitable–because the Jan-Gan-Man has awakened
- We need to be harmonious, virtuous, well-intended and cooperative with each other
“Our political class, cutting across all political parties, has shown a much-awaited reasonable and cooperative approach during operation Sindoor. Interest of the nation is also visible. The entire society has presented a big picture of unity and integrity. If such situation is sustained even after the events are over, then it would be a great strength for the country. As in the atmosphere of patriotism we have forgotten the differences in the national interest, competitors are cooperating with each other. This is the picture of ideal democracy and should be sustained is the wish all of us cherish. To live peacefully, they (Pakistan) separated. They (Pakistan) knew that they cannot win in one to one war, so the theory of a thousand cuts was introduced: proxy war, terror activities were used, and now the forms of war have changed, drones are dropped In this context, we also came to know what other countries of the world do, who stands with truth and who stands against us. Therefore, it becomes clear that we must be self-reliant for our security. We are the followers of truth and non-violence. We have no enemies, but as long as there are countries that spread terrorism, we will have to remain alert”, he said.
“The Armed Forces, Government, and administration will take all necessary actions, but the real strength lies in the society. During World War II, Hitler continuously bombed for a month at London, the city and Army was destroyed. Hitler’s friend Mussolini offered to mediate, Churchill went to King with offer, he then roamed in the metros of England and interacted with people. The people said, ‘We will fight and we will not bow down.’ Then Churchill said, ‘We will fight; even our future generations will fight’, and after the war, Churchill was honoured and called the ‘Lion of England’. He then said, “people are the lion, I only roar for them.” The true strength of a nation is its society”, Dr Bhagwat said.
“Our country is a land of diversity. There are many problems. One situation may benefit one and harm another, and this often creates dissatisfaction in society, which is valid. But in front of national interest, all these things are secondary. No section of society should be in conflict with another. Harmony is what we must strive for”, he further said.
“Therewas a time when people wanted us to fight, they used to incite the rulers. Under no circumstances should any section of society fight with any other section, we will have to maintain goodwill amongst ourselves. It is not right to become tyrants in an emotional impulse. Now it is our Government, governed as per the Constitution of Bharat. Therefore, using abusive language without any reason – we will have to give up all these things. We should not fall into the trap of those playing victimhood or inciting hatred. We need to be harmonious, virtuous, well-intended and cooperative with each other. Though we speak different languages, follow different Gods, have different food habits but our unity lies in our roots. Rabindranath Tagore said, bringing unity in diversity is the true dharma of Bharat”, he said.
He further said that, “We are one from our ancestors. Confusion was created by the British. We had forgotten, we have to be one. In fact, the whole world is one, humanity is one. We must manage diversity while nurturing unity and use it as a basis for development, Bharat should present this as an example to the world”.
Foreigners, but no longer strangers
Bill Shuster: Congressman Shuster is one of the most respected former Members of Congress in the US House of Representatives. Congressman Shuster represented the people of Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District in Congress for more than 17 years, first elected in 2001. His public service career was devoted to fostering, promoting and expanding economic opportunities across the country.
Bob Shuster: Bob is a Founding Partner of One+Strategies. Prior to starting One+, Bob was a Shareholder and Board Member of a large mid-Atlantic law firm. For the past 30 years Bob has practiced law and provided government relations counsel to clients at both the state and federal levels.
Bradford Ellison: Bradford Ellison is the Public Policy Practitioner, focusing on congressional investigations, navigating financial regulations, and building digital and physical infrastructure around the world.
Walter Russell Mead: Walter Russell Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft with the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida, and the “Global View” columnist at the Wall Street Journal.
Bill Drexel: Bill Drexel is a fellow at Hudson Institute. His work focuses on United States–India relations, artificial intelligence competition with China, and technology in American grand strategy.
“We believe—why should there be conversion? Everything leads to the same path, if there is no selfishness and greed in between. Worshipping in any manner is valid, but forcing someone and saying that your way is wrong. Conversion is violence. Therefore, those who changed their religion due to greed or force, and now wish to return, should be accepted. Tribal (Adivasi) society is not a separate society. Our culture is born out of forests and farms. Tribal society is our core. The sacredness towards nature is a tradition that only Bharat follows. We work on the strength of the society. One has to build one’s own destiny. Others can assist, but one must find one’s own path”, Dr Bhagwat said.
“We remained in slavery for 1,000 years, so we became used to fighting, at that time, it was necessary. But now all are our own people. We must be patient. If we keep ourselves right, change will come. We must work with patience. We will stand with everyone. The Sangh is meant for this”, he said. “There is a system to prepare one karyakarta and for that only Varg is. It has been going on for 98 years and has grown with time. Karyakartas from across the country work together and everyone has experienced this as the Sangh completes 100 years. Veer Savarkar had said, “We do our task like a storm-like effort all at once. But the work of the Sangh is to sow the crop drop by drop. That’s why its work is great, there is growth”, Dr Bhagwat said. On the event Veteran Janjati (tribal) leader, Arvind Netam who was the Chief Guest thanked the Sangh and Sarsanghachalak for inviting him as the chief guest for this programme.
Param Pujya Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Vidyanand Ji Maharaj of Ashram Baromal, Valsad district, Gujarat, and an American delegation were invited. Before attending the programme, all of them paid floral tributes to RSS founder Sarsanghchalak Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Smruti Mandir and visited his residence.
