Guwahati: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat has appealed to the youth of Assam and northeast India not to create any opinion about the RSS on the basis of pre-conceived notions or motivated propaganda. Sarsanghchalak Dr Bhagwat, while addressing a Youth Leadership Conclave at Sudarshanalaya in Barbari locality of the city on Wednesday, also urged the youth to observe and understand the RSS closely. Making several important remarks over the principles, ideals, and functioning of the RSS, Bhagwat also highlighted various debates and discussions surrounding the organization in front of over hundred young representatives from different fields.
Beginning his address, the Sarsanghchalak, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, commented that the RSS has now become a subject of public discussions.
“But those discussions should be based on factual information,” he asserted. Talking about various sources of information, Dr Bhagwat admitted that in different international platforms and some other digital sources which deliver information, over 50 per cent of the information related to the RSS is either incorrect or incomplete. “There is also a deliberate misinformation campaign against the RSS in different media outlets,” he stated.
The November 19 event began with a patriotic song by vocalist Sharat Raag and it is marked as an important step helping youth of the entire region to understand the RSS. Referring to the vision of RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the Sarsanghchalak stated that the primary aim of the Sangh is to make India a ‘Vishwaguru’ (teacher to the world). Stating that the nation can rise only when the society rises, Dr Bhagwat added that ‘only when a united and quality-driven society can be created to lead a progressive nation’.
Urging the youth to study the history of developed nations, he highlighted that the first hundred years of their growth were focused on building unity and qualitative strength within their societies. “Indian society also needs to evolve similarly,” Dr Bhagwat emphasized, noting that this idea is reflected in the five key principles of social transformation (Panch Parivartan) of the RSS, adopted on the occasion of its centenary year.
India’s Greatness lies in its Diversity
The Sarsanghchalak said that Bharat’s greatness as a nation lies in its long-standing tradition of respecting and accepting linguistic, regional, and belief-oriented diversities.
“The mindset of respecting diversity is not found in many other countries,” he said. India’s traditional attitude says, “My path is correct, but in your place, your path is also correct.” He pointed out that those who separated from Bharat eventually lost their diversities, citing how Punjabi and Sindhi speakers in Pakistan are compelled to practise Urdu language. He reiterated that those who respect diversity are the Hindus, and creating such a Hindu society is the primary objective of the RSS. “Until the Bharatiya society is organized and virtuous, the country’s destiny will not change,” he opined.
Dr Bhagwat reminded that great spiritual leaders like Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardeva had full respect for the country’s diversity and they spread the messages of unity through their teachings. “Diversity is a celebration of unity,” he said.
RSS as a system for creating ideal human beings
“RSS is an ideal man-making methodology,” he said, adding that the objective of Sangh is to develop a non-political and social leadership at the grassroots level. Building individuals leads to the transformation of the society, and when the society changes, systems also change,” he asserted.
Dr Bhagwat also invited the youth to experience how the activities in RSS shakhas focus on improving the quality and character of individuals. Participating in an interactive session, he stated that corruption can be eradicated only through character-building. He further added that beyond the legal measures for cow protection, more scientific knowledge about the cows at the societal level becomes necessary for its successful protection.
Reiterating the RSS’s main goal to build a stronger Bharat, Dr Bhagwat commented that once the country becomes stronger, the different concerns regarding north-eastern region with the rest of India, will automatically diminish. He insisted that there is no alternative to strengthening Bharat under the principle of ‘India First’. Bharat should neither be pro nor anti towards any foreign nation. The USA and China follow their own national interests, and their rivalry reflects those interests despite their talk of global harmony. Our stance must be clear: Bharat’s foreign policy should be firmly pro-Bharat, instead of becoming either pro or anti of either USA or China. When we safeguard our own national interest, global welfare naturally follows. A strong and self-reliant Bharat will be able to respond to any hostility and, in the future, help resolve global conflicts for a more harmonious world.
Calling upon the youth to engage with the RSS activities according to their time, interest, space and abilities, the Sarsanghchalak explained that the Sangh is an integral part of the society. Dr Bhagwat also mentioned that the foundation of the RSS in the far eastern region is gradually becoming stronger.
