News Analysis India

Tag: Mohan Bhagwat

  • RSS stock-taking meet kicks off in Karnataka amid policy concerns

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  A Three-day-long national executive committee meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) began in Dharwar, Karnataka, on Thursday with its chief Mohan Bhagwat leading the stock-taking exercise of the organisation. 

    The RSS will adopt a resolution against the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, besides chalking out the organisational expansion plan.

    There’s also a likelihood of the leaders exchanging their views on current issues, including farm agitation and the state of economy. 

    The annual meeting is taking at a time when the farm and labour wings of the RSS are growing restive against the prevailing farmer unrest and the disinvestment programme of the government, which is likely to gain steam with the successful privatisation of Air India.

    The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) had shot off an angry letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi before holding a nationwide protest against the farm distress.

    The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is also upping the ante against the disinvestment programme. 

    While the RSS has said the meeting will focus on organisational matters, it has held a few meetings in Uttar Pradesh, including Ayodhya, in the run-up to the Dharwar meeting. 

    The 350 delegates, including the area and zonal heads of the RSS across the country are taking part in the national executive committee meeting. 

    The general secretaries of the RSS affiliates, including the BJP, are also taking part in the three-day meeting.

    With polls in five states due next year, RSS and BJP brass is also likely to exchange feedback.

  • 2022 UP elections: CM Yogi, RSS chief discuss poll preparedness in closed-door meeting

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: UP CM Yogi Adityanath met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in a close door one-to-one meeting after the latter’s arrival here on late Thursday night, highly placed sources said. With the 2022 UP Assembly elections a few months away, the RSS is increasing its activities in the politically most crucial state. Sources claimed that Yogi met Bhagwat alone and discussed the upcoming polls and the BJP strategy and preparedness.

    The RSS chief also took stock of the Yogi government’s performance during the meeting, said the source. The CM later met other senior RSS office bearers, including Anil Ji, and discussed the ongoing construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

    The RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent, has been persistently working behind the scenes to help the party win elections since 2014 by overcoming caste-based polarisation in the Hindi heartland.

    ALSO READ | Experts not sure Congress 40% reservation for women candidates in UP polls move will pay dividends

    The RSS chief visited the Ram Janmabhoomi campus in Ayodhya and paid obeisance to Ram Lalla at the makeshift temple on the third and final day of his visit to the pilgrim town on Thursday.

    He also reviewed the ongoing construction work of the upcoming Ram temple. He inquired about the foundation work and the other structures that will come up at the Ram Janmabhoomi, according to RSS office-bearers.

    Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, accompanied Bhagwat during this Ayodhya visit and informed him about the other upcoming projects in the city. The trust has set a deadline of December 2023 for the opening of the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple for devotees.

    The RSS chief was told about a proposal to make the Ram Janmabhoomi campus eco-friendly and the projects associated with it.

    He had reached Ayodhya on Tuesday (October 19) to attend the Akhil Bhartiya Abhyas Varg, an event of the RSS.

  • Those seeking ‘azadi’ in Jammu and Kashmir must be integrated with `Bharat’: Mohan Bhagwat

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said the abrogation of Article 370 which had given a special status to Jammu and Kashmir has not solved the problem completely, and there is a section of population there which still speaks of “Azadi” (independence).

    Speaking at a book launch function here, he said society must reach out to this section so as to integrate it with “Bharat”.

    He visited Kashmir recently and saw that abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has paved the way for development in the region, Bhagwat said.

    He also saw Muslim students from Jammu and Kashmir stating during a program in Mumbai last month that they wanted to be part of India and now they could be Indian without any barrier, he said.

    Earlier, Jammu and Ladakh faced “discrimination” and 80 per cent of the resources spent on Kashmir Valley went into local leaders’ pockets without benefiting people, the RSS chief said.

    Now this has changed and people’s lives there are “happier”, he claimed.

    Article 370 also came in the way of taking action against terrorists but now nobody fears terrorists, he added.

    “People who had put stones in the hands of their children instead of books have stopped praising them (terrorists).

    There is an open atmosphere. Tomorrow elections will be held and new government will be formed,” the RSS chief said.

    But sometimes we get complacent and lethargic when “hurdles are removed”, Bhagwat said, adding, “The problem has not gone away.

    Was Article 370 the problem? The reason why Article 370 had been created was the problem.

    “There is one section, which persuaded by Pakistan and with communal feelings in the heart says (demands) Azaadi (freedom/independence). And these sections are still there,” Bhagwat said.

    Many in Kashmir identify with Indian nationalism, he said.

    But there are some others who are happy that “corrupt leaders have gone to jail” and there is development, but “in their hearts they feel even with all this, if we get independence, it will be good,” Bhagwat said.

    “And the problem lies there,” he added.

    “We will need to speed up efforts for assimilation,” the RSS chief said, adding that Indian society should take benefit of the “good atmosphere” prevailing now and “reach out to all of them and establish close relations make them feel that they belong to Bharat.”

  • Congress says RSS cannot talk on national issues

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  A day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s annual Dussehra address in Nagpur, Congress termed the outfit an unregistered cultural organisation.  The party also asked in what capacity does the RSS chief speak about national and international issues.

    National spokesperson of Congress Pawan Khera at a media interface on Friday said: “The RSS is a cultural organisation, still unregistered and Mohan Bhagwat is its self-proclaimed head speaking on issues the government should have spoken.”

    Replying to a media query on the RSS chief’s statements on Pakistan, China and Taliban, Khera lashed out asking, “How is RSS not different from SPICMACY and other cultural organisations? How the RSS chief’s address is streamed live while others’ are not.”

    Khera said that the RSS is by its own admission to Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel, a cultural organisation that has given in writing it will not indulge in politics. “Bhagwat says he regrets and feels pains at the partition of nation. There should also be repentance. Sanghis (referring to RSS) and the Leagues (Indian Muslim League) should also tender apologies to the people displace by partition.”

    READ HERE | RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeks policy revamp on population

    Questioning the Centre’s silence on a viral video, released by the Chinese PLF of Galwan valley, showing an army in captivity, Khera said that the government of India should come out and state the facts.Speaking on the brutal murder of a 35-year-old person  near Delhi’s Singhu border on Friday, Khera demanded a proper investigation, saying there is no place for violence in the country.  “India is run by laws. Therefore, there is no room for violence or crime in this country. Now it is up to the government to get proper investigation done into the murder at Delhi’s Singhu border”, Khera concluded.

    Sangh procession denied nod in RajNew Delhi: In Congress-ruled Rajasthan, the government refused permission to the RSS to hold its traditional procession on the festival of Dussehra. BJP reacted sharply and alleged that the government has misused Corona guidelines as an excuse. Senior BJP leader Arun Chaturvedi said in the last few days, there were many demonstrations in Jaipur in which ministers were involved, but there was no talk of Corona. “It reflects the political thinking of the Congress government,” he said. This, Chaturvedi claimed, is injustice as RSS officials had assured they would follow Corona guidelines.

  • RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seeks policy revamp on population

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Hard Hindutva appeared on the horizon as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday pushed for revisiting the population policy, scorned at state control of temples, sought tough measures against illegal immigrants, regulation of internet-based OTT content and further “unification of J&K” with the rest of the country.

    His annual Vijayadashmi address gave a glimpse of the agenda, as the NDA government at the Centre enters its eighth year in power, while the BJP will be up against a charged Opposition to defend party ruled states in polls next year. Bhagwat argued that the population percentage of religions of Indian origin has been consistently declining as against a rising Muslim head count.

    He demanded a revamp of the population policy keeping the next 50 years in mind, adding it must be uniformly enforced across all communities and religions. Citing the situation in West Bengal and Assam, Bhagwat toughened his stance against illegal immigrants, demanding the withdrawal of the citizenship granted to some of them as also land ownership.

    Turning to the issue of temple control, Bhagwat said in the South they are mostly run by the state, though they lack proper governance, with interference by people who are “irreligious and unethical heretics”. Stressing on collectivism, which is seen as a message for the consolidation of Hindus castes, Bhagwat sought to restore the status of temples as the fulcrum of society, which can spur Hindu revivalism.

    Bhagwat saw in the targeted killings of minorities in Kashmir a clear design to stoke fear. Noting that there had been gains after the abrogation of Article 370, Bhagwat sought further integration of J&K, which is likely to be an indication for easing curbs on outsiders for settling and doing business there. Expressing anguish over the face-off between Assam and Mizoram police, he asked, “Are we not citizens of the same country?”

    Where he stands

    Temples: Hand over operating rights of Hindu temples to Hindus. Wealth of Hindu temples must be used for worship of deities and welfare of Hindu community only
    J&K: Targeted killings of national minded citizens — especially Hindus — to destroy their morale and
    re-establish a reign of terror
    Taliban: Its stance has alternated between Kashmir and peace talks. Our military must be prepared for all eventualities
    Bitcoins: Clandestine, uncontrolled currency; has potential to destabilise economy
    OTT platforms: Broadcasts unregulated; difficult to predict how it will affect society. But how anti-national forces wish to use it is wellknown

  • Rights of Hindu temples must be handed over to Hindu devotees; its wealth be used for Hindus only: Bhagwat

    'The wealth of Hindu temples is used for non-Hindus – who have no faith in Hindu Gods. Even Hindus need it, but it is not used for them,' Bhagwat said.

  • Rights of temples must be handed over to devotees; its wealth be used for Hindus only: Bhagwat

    'The wealth of Hindu temples is used for non-Hindus – who have no faith in Hindu Gods. Even Hindus need it, but it is not used for them,' Bhagwat said.

  • RSS chief raises concern over Taliban, collusion of China-Pakistan

    By ANI

    NAGPUR: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday showed concern over the geo-political changes in Afghanistan and questioned the intention of Taliban, Pakistan and China while adding that our military preparedness on the borders needs to be strengthened.

    In his annual Vijaya Dashami address, the RSS chief said, “We know Taliban’s history. China and Pakistan support it to this day. Even if the Taliban changed, Pakistan didn’t. Has China’s intentions towards India changed? While dialogues should happen but we need to be aware, alert and prepared.”

    “Their predisposition – passionate fanaticism, tyranny and terrorism in the name of Islam – is sufficient to make everyone apprehensive of the Taliban. But now China, Pakistan and Turkey have coalesced in an unholy coalition with the Taliban. Since Abdali, our north-western borders are once again a matter of serious concern,” said RSS chief.

    Bhagwat said that border security needs to be strengthened not just along the land border but also along the coastline where silent attacks take place.

    He said that the illegal infiltration from across the border should be completely curbed while adding that these infiltrators should be deprived of citizenship rights by creating a national citizen magazine.

    Bhagwat, who recently went to Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370, while praising the administration urged the government to take necessary measures to stop targeted killings in the valley.

    “Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir have restarted the spate of targeted killings of nationalists especially Hindus. This is being done to destroy their morale and to re-establish the reign of terror in the valley. The government should fast track its efforts to curb and neutralise the terrorist activities,” added Bhagwat.

    Bhagwat emphasised that it is India’s culture to integrate varied linguistic, religious and regional traditions and to promote mutual cooperation among all while accepting and honouring all as equal with identical opportunities for growth.

    “Our ideals are our common ancestors. It is the grasp of this very fact that the country saw martyrs like Hasankhan Mewati, Hakimkhan Suri, Khudabaksh and Gaus Khan and a revolutionary like Ashfaqullah Khan. They are admirable role models for all,” said Bhagwat.

    ALSO READ | Terrorists resorting to targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, says RSS chief

    The Vijaya Dashami address of the RSS chief is considered the most important event for the organisation as it is during his address future plans and vision are put forth for all to follow. It is from this stage that RSS stand on many issues of national importance is known.

    Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami, according to the Hindu calendar is celebrated on the 10th day after the 9 days of Navratri festivities in the month of Ashvina. 

  • Terrorists resorting to targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said terrorists were resorting to targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir to instil fear.

    Addressing the annual Vijayadashmi rally at Reshimbagh ground here, Bhagwat said military preparedness on borders needs to be increased.

    He also expressed concern over Bitcoin and OTT platforms and asked the government to take efforts to regulate these things.

    Sarsanghchalak of @RSSorg Mohan Bhagwat in his #RSSVijayaDashami speech says separatists in Jammu and Kashmir are trying to stoke fear with targetted killings.@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard
    — Manish Anand (@ManishAnand_25) October 15, 2021
    “Terrorists are resorting to targeted violence in Jammu and Kashmir to instil fear,” he said.

    On October 12, five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed in an encounter in Dera Ki Gali (DKG) in Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.

    On August 19, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Thanamandi area of Rajouri district.

    Bhagwat said societal consciousness is still skewed with caste-based sentiments and the RSS is working to address it.

  • Savarkar era has arrived: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat  

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The era of Savarkar has arrived in the country after 2014, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh supremo Mohan Bhagwat said, asserting that the Hindu Mahasabha leader’s vision for the nation was now being realised. 

    At a book release on Tuesday, Bhagwat said Savarkar had envisaged national and strategic interests as same, which, he claimed, after 2014 is becoming visible. “Savarkar’s vision for Independence had envisaged all being equal, and convergence of the national and strategic interests. We can say that Savarkar era has arrived in the country,” he said after releasing a book on Savarkar by Uday Mahurkar and Charayu Pandit. 

    Bhagwat asserted Savarkar was a social reformer, and added that B R Ambedkar too had acknowledged his works for social amity in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Defence Rajnath Singh exhorted the role of Savarkar in India’s freedom struggle and added that he was vilified by vested interests. Singh said the repeated claims that the Hindu Mahasabha leader had signed a mercy petition to the British government for release from life term were part of the motivated campaign orchestrated by the “Marxist and Leninist groups”. 

    “The fact is the mercy petition was submitted on the exhortation of Mahatma Gandhi,” Singh said, describing Savarkar as a social revolutionary as well as a hardcore nationalist. Savarkar had forewarned that the demand for the right to self-determination would lay the seeds of the partition of the country, he said. 

    “Savarkar had been portrayed as a Nazi and Fascist, which he wasn’t, by the vested interests after Independence. He believed in healthy democracy, while believing that the nation is a cultural entity, and all are equal in duties and rights,” the minister added.