Our honourable chief guest of today’s programme Arvind Netam, honourable Sarvadhikari of the Varg, honourable Sanghchalak of Vidarbha Prant, honourable Sanghchalak of Nagpur Mahanagar, specially invited guests, citizens, gentlemen, mothers and sisters and dear Swayamsevak brothers present.
This concluding program is being held in a particularly solemn atmosphere. It marks the culmination of the varg (training camp) organised for the swayamsevaks of the Sangh, ahead of the centenary celebrations. The 100th year will be completed on Vijayadashami, after which the planned year-long programmes and initiatives will commence. However, in recent days, a pressing situation has emerged in the country. The barbaric attack in Pahalgam, where our citizens were brutally murdered by terrorists who infiltrated our land, has deeply pained us all. Naturally, this incident evoked sorrow and anger in every heart, along with a fervent desire that justice be delivered and the culprits be punished. Accordingly, action was taken, and steps towards justice were initiated.
In the course of these recent events, the capability and valour of our armed forces have once again shone brightly. The various forms of research and development we have undertaken in the field of defence have proven to be effective. Alongwith the bravery of our forces, we have also witnessed the resolve and decisiveness of those in positions of governance and administration, those who are responsible for making and executing critical decisions. We have observed a long-awaited sense of wisdom and cooperation among our entire diplomatic community, cutting across party lines. Putting aside all political differences for the greater national interest, our diplomats have acted in unity, a development both rare and encouraging. Moreover, our entire society has presented a powerful image of unity. If this unity becomes enduring, if it does not fade as the memory of the incident recedes and instead continues into the future, it will serve as a great strength and support for our nation. In this prevailing atmosphere of patriotism, it seems as though we have set aside all differences. Even competition among ourselves has taken a back seat, as rivals are now working together in service of the nation. This picture that has emerged is truly a reflection of a mature and thriving democracy. It is our collective hope that this spirit continues into the future. What lies ahead, and how it will unfold, no one can say with certainty. But what we do know is this: such unity must endure. Everyone feels this way. Because we also understand that, despite all these efforts, the problem has not been completely resolved.
As long as this crooked mindset persists, and the ghost of two-nation theory lingers in the minds of some, the threat to our nation will remain. The very premise of partition was to enable peaceful coexistence—yet, ironically, unrest began almost immediately after separation. Until this duplicity is eradicated, our country will continue to face such dangers. We have seen how the nature of warfare itself has evolved. Unable to win through direct confrontation, some have adopted the strategy of a “thousand cuts”, supporting terrorism, engaging in cyber warfare, and employing various forms of proxy wars. These indirect methods of conflict have become a constant threat. Despite repeated governance efforts and global condemnation, this mindset refuses to change. Modern warfare is no longer about facing one another on the battlefield, where victory determines the conqueror. Today, wars can be waged from the safety of one’s home, drones can be deployed with the push of a button. New technologies and tactics are reshaping how wars are fought. We are now confronted with this reality. This situation has also tested the responses of nations across the world. We have come to see who stands firmly on the side of truth, who acts out of self-interest even in such matters, and who, driven purely by their own agendas, emerge as our clear adversaries. Therefore, a crucial realisation has dawned upon us: when it comes to national security, we must be self-reliant.
We are a nation that upholds the principles of truth and non-violence. We bear no enmity towards anyone in the world. However, evil does exist in the world, and because of it, there are those who commit such acts of violence without provocation. As long as such threats persist, we must remain fully alert and prepared to safeguard ourselves. There must be continuous research and development in new and emerging technologies. The Chief of the Armed Forces has already stated that we are carefully evaluating all the experiences from recent events. We must determine where we need to advance further and what actions we must take—this process must remain ongoing. While the armed forces, the government, and the administration all have their roles to play, it is important to remember that true strength ultimately lies with society itself.
During the Second World War, for an entire month, Hitler relentlessly bombed London with the full force of his military, hoping to force the British into submission. In such a grave situation, the British leadership began to wonder whether they should consider surrender. The army had been decimated, the air force was non-existent, and the navy was no longer operational. At that time, Hitler’s ally, Mussolini, offered to mediate a peace deal. Even Prime Minister Winston Churchill began to contemplate the possibility—he was personally unwilling, but his cabinet was leaning towards a truce to avoid further devastation, as they believed they no longer had the strength to stop the destruction. The King asked him, “Who chose your cabinet?” Churchill replied, “The people did.” As the story goes, Churchill then took a ride through England’s metro system and spoke with the people.
Ordinary people may not fully grasp what war truly entails, how much destruction it brings, what losses must be endured, or what strength a nation really possesses. But there is a patriotism in their hearts, so they started telling Churchill not to surrender under any circumstances. They said they will fight, in every street, even if there is nothing left, they will fight with their kitchen utensils if the need arises. They may not have imagined what would the consequences be if they had to fight so, but their moral resolve and steadfastness were undeniable. Inspired by their spirit, Churchill returned to Parliament and announced that the idea of a peace treaty had been abandoned. Instead, he declared: “We shall fight in the air, we shall fight on the seas, we shall fight everywhere.” And he added, “Even if we do not achieve victory in this battle, our next generation will continue the fight from our empire’s remaining territories. But we shall never surrender—not until we secure complete victory.” Where did this strength come from? After the war, when the nation celebrated Churchill’s leadership, he was praised as “the Lion of England.” In response, Churchill humbly said, “I am not the lion. You were the lions. I only roared for you.” And indeed, that is the truth—the real strength of a nation lies in the strength of its society.
Therefore, our society must remain vigilant and united. Ours is a nation of immense diversity and a variety of challenges. At times, one’s problem may go unnoticed by another, and what benefits someone may prove to be a loss to another. Navigating through this complex web and arriving at a unified national direction requires great effort—it is like walking a tightrope. This sometimes leads to dissatisfaction within society which is natural and valid. But when it comes to the greater good of the nation,it is not right. Under no circumstance should there be conflict between different sections of society. We must strive to maintain mutual goodwill and understanding at all times. Letting emotions override reason and turning that into aggression, creating conflicts where none are necessary, or taking the law into one’s own hands in response to a provocation is not acceptable. There was a time when we were under foreign rule, and the rulers deliberately incited divisions among us. They supported disruptive elements, and the innocent were often forced into confrontation. But today, we are governed by our own laws, under the Indian Constitution. In such a scenario, there is no place for violence, abusive language, or reckless outbursts in the name of reaction. We must be careful not to fall prey to those who provoke, who play the victim, or who incite through inflammatory rhetoric. There are also those who, for their own selfish gains, seek to create division and unrest in society. On the other hand, there are some who, overconfident in our long-standing unity, impatient, allow themselves small lapses of restraint—believing nothing can break us. We must avoid both extremes. Mutual goodwill, ethical conduct, thoughtful dialogue, and cooperative spirit is needed.
We, the people of this nation, speak different languages, worship different deities, follow varied customs, traditions, and food habits. Due to our vast diversity, we naturally have differing interests and social dynamics. Yet, our roots do not lie in this diversity—they lie in our unity. Rabindranath Tagore once said that Bharat’s foremost responsibility is to demonstrate unity amidst diversity and harmonise diversity on the foundation of unity. That unity must be the ground in which our roots are anchored. We may express ourselves in diverse ways—I will speak my language, take pride in it; I will worship in my way, as it is dear to me; my uniqueness is my identity and needs to be preserved. But above all this, stands our collective unity. Despite all these differences, as a nation, as society, we are one. The timeless stream of Sanatan (eternal) sanskriti has long guided our conduct and way of life. The outward expressions of civilisation—our clothes, music, dance, language, architecture, rituals, travel, and food—may vary. But our underlying values are one. We also share common ancestors. The idea that we descend from different lineages was a falsehood sown during colonial rule to divide us. We all are one. The task before us is not to become one despite our differences, but to remember that we have always been one. We merely forgot. And in reality, all of humanity is one, that the world is one. It is Bharat’s responsibility to awaken this sense of unity in the collective consciousness of the world. This is the deeper meaning of our national existence. This is the true purpose behind our independence gained on 15th August 1947. We must prepare ourselves for that. We must embrace our diversity, respect and celebrate it, while bringing everyone’s attention to unity. It is on this foundation that we must redefine the path of development for all humankind. Bharat must stand as an example, the world needs it.
In this context, the thoughts shared by our esteemed guest today are of great importance. All of us must reflect on them. We, in the Sangh, are already doing so. Why should there be an opposition to development and environment? Can the two not move forward together? Of course, they can—provided the planning is grounded in a spirit of unity and harmony. Our tribal brothers and sisters are an integral part of our society. As Netam Ji mentioned while speaking about the Code, we have numerous deities and diverse traditions, yet we remain one as a society. If we are indeed one society, then there should be no need for anyone to say, “Please help us.” It is inherent to the mission of the Sangh to serve the entire Hindu society. Now, I am not speaking here specifically about the Code—that is a separate, technical matter. But this section of society is also very much our own, and we will do whatever is within our capacity to address its concerns. We have our own method of working. You made certain points addressed to the government—those will certainly reach the appropriate authorities. But as you know from your own experience, how governments work, they take time. It is rare for all factors to be considered at once. That is why we say: what is the true strength of governance and administration? It is the strength of society. So what if the administration does not respond immediately, society remains. You mentioned the PESA Act. The key question is how to apply that law in a way that avoids creating new divisions within society. No one should feel alienated or separate because of it. If you are looking for examples of how the PESA Act can be effectively and harmoniously applied, our Swayamsevaks have done incredible work through various organisations. In Nashik district, for instance, there is a model of successful implementation that serves as an excellent example. I mentioned the name of Chaitram Pawar ji yesterday—similar planned initiatives are underway in the Betul region and will soon be undertaken in Bastar as well. We are already present—you don’t need to request. In fact, your presence here has reminded us of a duty, a responsibility. Wherever we reach, we carry this spirit of service and unity. What matters now is expanding our reach. Therefore, regarding everything you’ve shared today, we assure you: whatever we can do, in our way, we most certainly will.
Regarding the issue of religious conversion—why should it occur at all? In our tradition, we believe that diversity of paths exists according to individual inclination.
rucīnāṃ vaicitryādṛjukuṭilanānāpathajuṣāṃ।
nṛṇāmeko gamyastvamasi payasāmarṇava iva।।
The ways of worship, food habits, sanskriti vary. Depending on one’s interests, nature, circumstances, and mindset, this diversity is perfectly natural. If everything moves correctly, all paths lead in the same direction. As long as selfishness or vices do not interfere, and no one tries to exploit the situation for personal gain, nothing goes wrong, everyone will be moving towards the same goal. If that is the case, then why is conversion necessary? When the missionaries asked Gulabrao Maharaj, “If all paths are true, then why not become Christian?” he replied, “If all paths are true, then why become Christian?” In our tradition, if someone voluntarily changes their way of worship, no one objects, it is accepted. Reverend Vaman Narayan Tilak was one such example. However, doing it out of greed, force, or with the mindset or claim that your path is wrong and your ancestors were wrong, and that “we are correcting you,” is actually an insult. Conversion is violence. We have never supported that. We bear no enmity towards any sect or faith. We have respect for Jesus Christ, the Prophet, and all spiritual figures, and we share that reverence. But everyone should follow their own path. Therefore, those who have been taken away by greed, force, or coercion, if they wish to return, they should be accepted—because it is a correction. We stand with you on these matters. The tribal community is not a separate society.
I often say that our sanskriti was born in the forests and fields. Therefore, the tribal community is our origin. The philosophy they express in their own languages closely resembles the ideas found in the Nasadiya Sukta (a hymn from the Rigveda exploring the origin of the universe). Their friendship with the environment, seeing sanctity everywhere, worshipping trees and plants, honouring nature, where else but Bharat do such traditions exist? This is the tradition of Bharat. Today, we call ourselves Hindus; where did this identity come from? It originated there. Hence, considering the tribal society as an integral part of our community, we dedicate our full strength and work according to our own ways, based on the strength of society. We will work, and we do not hold monopolies. When we say we will work, it means that we and those for whom the work is done will do it together, because that is the only way for work to be truly accomplished. We must create our own destiny. Leaders, slogans, policies, parties, avatars, governments, ideologies, great men — these can all help, but we must take ten steps forward ourselves. Then, they will follow with five steps. This is not a new idea; it has always been so. The cause of all change is society itself. Therefore, by setting an example through our own behavior and creating an environment for change, the society will bring about its own transformation. Once that happens, changes in policies are inevitable. Patience is crucial.
We now have our own independent nation. This is our own society. For a thousand years, we lived under foreign rule, and as a result, we developed a habit of resistance, of rebellion; at that time, it was necessary. But now, these are our own people. Even if we sometimes forget that sense of belonging, if we patiently wait, maintain our composure, and act with balance, then true transformation will come.
As we just said in the song, nishchit hoga parivartan (Change will definitely happen). Why? Because, jaag raha hai jan gan man (Jan Gan Man is awakening). To create an atmosphere that awakens the spirit of the people, it is the work of the Sangh to build a nationwide network of dedicated karyakartas, and that is exactly what we are doing. We do it in our own way, with our own strength. We don’t call upon others for help, but anyone who comes voluntarily is welcome, and we assist everyone. That’s why our pace may seem a bit slow — but we will increase it. Still, the speed of a bicycle can never match that of a car. And for the kind of work we have set out to do, we must travel by bicycle. But I can say with confidence that if we all come together to shape our destiny, solutions to our challenges will surely emerge in the right way. We must work with patience and persistence. And in all such efforts, we are with everyone. We will always lend our support, because this is the very purpose of the Sangh.
These vargs (training camps) are meant to prepare such dedicated karyakartas. This particular camp that began in 1927, is being held in Nagpur for the past 98 years. Over time, it has grown in scale and its format has evolved in various ways. But from this very camp, dedicated karyakartas have emerged from across the country, and through their efforts, the atmosphere of the nation has been transformed, an impact that many of you have personally experienced.
What was the state of society’s mindset and atmosphere in 1925, when the Sangh was founded, and what is that mindset and atmosphere now, as the Sangh approaches its 100th year? If something is stirred up with noise and excitement over four days, it fades away in just two. At one Sangh event, Savarkar ji once remarked that our work is like a heavy downpour — it rains hard, and in a couple hours everything is scattered and the rain suddenly stops. The water flows away, the moisture dries up, and neither the trees nor the crops truly benefit from it. But your work, he said, is like a gentle and steady rainfall. It nourishes the seeds in the soil, awakens dormant ones, and helps crops grow. This is the Sangh’s approach. That’s why sometimes it may feel like something more should be done. We will certainly do it, and we are doing it. In fact, regarding all the concerns you’ve raised, I have already spoken to our karyakartas right in front of you. We don’t need to form separate committees, our executive bodies exist at every level. And fortunately, the Sangh’s executive teams are made up of active contributors, not just names on a list. So as we continue to meet with them, the work will progress. There is no need to worry, we are all here, and we are together in this effort. But this work must reach the whole of society. And to do that, we need karyakartas who live these ideals, who love society deeply, who hold no discrimination in their hearts, who treat everyone as their own, and who possess impeccable character. Creating such dedicated karyakartas is the work of the Sangh. What you have seen here is just one example of that.
My humble request is that this work should not be seen as the responsibility of the Sangh alone. We all must come together to shape our destiny. And by “our destiny,” I mean the collective destiny of all of us — the destiny of our nation. Work is already underway to shape that future. Therefore, merely observing from the sidelines, with curiosity or detachment, will not be enough; active participation is needed. I appeal to all of you to be more involved — to participate as much as possible alongside the Swayamsevaks in the work they are doing for the nation’s welfare. That is my earnest request to you as I conclude my words.
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