NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat in his customary Vijayadashmi address on Saturday called for unification of Hindu society at home and worldwide noting that weakness was a crime and even “Gods did not care for the weak.”
Speaking in the context of Bangladesh where, he said, Hindus organised themselves for the first time and were able to survive through the atrocities they faced after a change of guard there, Bhagwat said there were lessons for Hindu society in what happened in Bangladesh.
The RSS chief reiterated that Bangladeshi Hindus needed the help of the Indian government and of all Hindus everywhere.
“Because of the chaos in Bangladesh, Hindus were targeted once again. For the first time they organised themselves and some defence became possible. But till the time radical elements are alive there, all minorities will remain in danger. They need the support of Hindus globally; they need the help of the Indian Government.
“This should also be a lesson for Hindu society — weakness is a crime. If we are weak and unorganised we are inviting atrocities. We must stay organised and strong wherever we are, not violent. This we will have to do,” he said, pledging to take up the mission of social unification as the Sangh entered its centenary year on Saturday.
The RSS was founded in Nagpur on Vijayadasami day in 1925 by KB Hedgewar, a Telangana brahmin whose family had settled in Nagpur.
The centenary commencement address of Bhagwat was therefore being watched with interest. Apart from the message of unity and strength of Hindus, Bhagwat warned against what he described as “deep state, wokeism and cultural Marxism” out to destroy the cultural traditions that bind India.
“Deep state, wokeism, cultural marxism are in discussions these days. In reality all these are professed enemies of established cultural traditions anywhere. Disintegration of cultural values, traditions, ideals and anything that is virtuous anywhere is part of their functioning,” he said, warning the country against external powers out to undermine it.
Hinting at a foreign hand in Bangladesh chaos, Bhagwat flagged discussions in Bangladesh that India was posing a threat to it.
“Bangladesh is talking about taking Pakistan along, that Pakistan is its demonstrated friend. That it should work with Pakistan to check India because India has nuclear weapons. Bangladesh which Bharat helped create, which Bharat never had any tensions with is saying all this. Who is giving these narrations? Which nations will benefit from this? We need not name anyone.
“There is a desire that in India also these things should happen. If India rises, vested interests will be hit. So enterprises are underway to check India’s rise,” the RSS chief said, warning against these forces and also flagging constant attempts at home to exploit social fault lines to create chaos, disruption and disregard for law and order.
The RSS chief said a strong, organised, united society alone “could ward off such distortions and deformities.”
Giving the example of a healthy body, Bhagwat said just as only a healthy body can fight disease, a healthy, united, closely knit strong society can fight disruptive tendencies.
Noting that Bharat was advancing in all fields, Bhagwat said successful conduct of Jammu and Kashmir polls is a sign of a mature society. He, however, cautioned against multiple challenges as India gains prominence and strength.
“As if to test our resolve, sinister conspiracies are being hatched to disturb and destabilise the country. They seem to be gaining momentum from all directions. Certain powers whose vested interests are affected by Bharat’s rise want to contain us,” the RSS chief said, arguing for unification of Hindus.
He described social harmony as the first condition of a healthy society. “The first condition of a healthy, organised society is social harmony. We should have a sense of camaraderie across families, across society, we should celebrate all festivals. We have even divided our saints. Why should Valmiki Jayanti be celebrated only in Valmiki society? Entire Hindu society should celebrate all Hindu festivals. This collaboration is needed. Temples, cremation grounds, and water sources should be opened for all,” Bhagwat said pledging to take the programme of social integration ahead in RSS’ centenary year.
In significant remarks, Bhagwat also said the Hindus had every right to protect themselves and their lives in the face of hooliganism.
Giving references to stone pelting cases on Hindu festive processions, the RSS chief said, “The society has to be prepared to thwart hooliganism. No one has a sanction for hooliganism. The police and administration are responsible for protection, law and order, but till they act, we have to stay alert, save ourselves, our families. This is our right.”
Bhagwat said even BR Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution, had warned against “grammar of anarchy.” He made a special mention of existing security related vulnerabilities in Punjab, Ladakh, Manipur and other border areas and said these states were feeling the heat.
“The Constitutional measures of protests have been kept on the shelf and there are tendencies of instigating anarchy in the name of protests,” Bhagwat said amid ongoing farmers’ protests on the border of Punjab and Haryana.
The RSS chief said underlined cultural unity was the strength of our India and attempts were on to destabilise it. “We need a national narrative, a plan within the limits of law and constitution to keep the society safe,” Bhagwat said.
Mohan Bhagwat slammed the “attempts to delay justice and shield criminals” in Kolkata’s RG Kar rape and murder case which he called ‘shameful’.
Bhagwat warned against the collusion of politicians and criminals and lauded the collective outpouring of social angst against the crime in Kolkata.