Latest news with #MohanBhagwat
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
No single entity can claim credit for India's freedom: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
NAGPUR: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that 'no single entity' can claim 'exclusive credit' for the 'monumental achievement' of India's freedom from the British, underlining it was a result of the actions of countless individuals and groups. Bhagwat, speaking at a book release in Nagpur late on Friday, emphasised that the freedom movement began with the 1857 uprising, which ignited a struggle that led to India's liberation. 'Discussions about how the country gained its independence often overlook a crucial truth. It was not due to one person. The flames of the freedom struggle were ignited across the nation after 1857...,' he said. Bhagwat cited contributions of countless individuals and groups to the independence, dismissing the notion that a single entity could claim 'exclusive credit' for this achievement, without naming anyone. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological fount, RSS, have sought to counter the criticism of the latter's role in the freedom movement. Critics have long targeted the RSS for staying away from the freedom movement, even as its supporters argue it had a significant role, citing the involvement of leaders such as founder KB Hedgewar in the anti-colonial struggle under the influence of Lokmanya Tilak. Hegdewar, who was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for an anti-British speech in 1921, was also jailed for his involvement in the 1930 movement against the British salt monopoly. The RSS has argued that it focused on building a unified society, as social divisions led to India's subjugation, to counter criticism over its absence from the 1942 Quit India Movement. Critics argue that the writings of RSS leader MS Golwalkar, who called the anti-colonial movement reactionary and temporary and believed the real internal enemies needed to be fought, show that fighting the British was not the priority. They say RSS's aim was not the end of British rule but the establishment of a 'Hindu Rashtra', putting it at odds with a secular national movement under the then umbrella organisation Congress. On Friday, Bhagwat also elaborated on the RSS's role and philosophy and said many who speak of its merits and flaws may not be familiar with it. 'Those who take the time to understand our organisation often say they are impressed and have learned much.' He added that RSS derives its strength from the sacrifices of dedicated volunteers guided by collective decision-making. Bhagwat sought to address common misconceptions and insisted that it is not about individual accolades but the collective action of RSS members that is significant. 'The highest rank in the RSS is that of the ordinary volunteer,' he said. Bhagwat said dedicated members serving selflessly amid everyday life carry out the RSS's true work. He encouraged volunteers to expand their belonging networks and engage in selfless service. Bhagwat said that true happiness comes from identifying lasting fulfilment in helping others. 'Selfless service is the paramount goal for each [RSS] volunteer,' he said. Bhagwat said a volunteer's life is full of emotions while living among the people and performing their duty. 'But his experiences are extraordinary while remaining in an ordinary state,' he said. 'Whether anyone comes or not, he goes to the RSS shakha [gathering] daily, putting aside his problems, and helping others.' He said young RSS volunteers selflessly supported the armed forces by providing essential supplies during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. 'These acts of bravery and service may not have received widespread recognition, but they are integral lessons shared within the RSS,' said Bhagwat.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mohan Bhagwat to visit Kanpur amid RSS focus on going beyond caste
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will arrive in Kanpur on Saturday on a two-day visit. He is scheduled to attend several meetings and visit two ongoing training camps. These camps aim to prepare volunteers aged 40 or below to work towards fostering a casteless and socially neutral environment. The RSS initiative comes at a time when the Central government is preparing for a caste-based Census, expected in 2027. The RSS's second-in-command, Dattatreya Hosabale, has already been in Kanpur for the past two days, providing training to volunteers on building a society that transcends caste distinctions. The first camp, known as Vikas Varg, is being held at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya School in Nawabganj. It is a regional (Kshetra-level) camp comprising RSS workers from various districts across eastern Uttar Pradesh. The second camp, Shiksha Varg, is taking place in Meharban Singh ka Purwa — the native place of Samajwadi Party ideologue Harmohan Singh Yadav. Part of his family is now seen to be moving closer to the BJP. This is the first time the Sangh has organised such an event in this traditional SP stronghold. RSS leaders said Bhagwat would visit and address both training camps. An open session will be held on June 10 at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya School, where people from all sections of society are expected to participate. During his previous visit to Kanpur in mid-April, Bhagwat had stressed that all castes deserve equal rights, urging swayamsevaks to unite diverse social groups under a singular Hindu identity. He had called on each RSS worker to reach out to every household, both urban and rural, to propagate the Sangh's message. The ongoing training camps are seen as preparing the ground for that grassroots campaign. Set to continue until June 10, the camps will culminate with deployment of trained workers across towns, settlements and remote villages to engage at least one member from every household and bring them into the Sangh's ideological fold. Addressing volunteers on Friday, Hosabale said, 'We must build a society that is not based on caste. The RSS has worked in this spirit for decades. As we enter the centenary year of the Sangh, we must remember that swayamsevaks have toiled selflessly—giving their time, money, and blood—to bring the organisation to where it stands today.' He said the RSS remains globally unique as a movement where workers have collaborated for decades without knowing one another's caste. In a separate interactive session with trainees, he discussed personal and academic concerns and reiterated that the RSS aims to mould ideal citizens who live by the principle of 'Nation First'. 'One's work is not merely for personal or familial benefit, but for national and global welfare,' he said. He recounted the lives of senior pracharaks like Bhaurao Deoras, Anant Ram Gokhale, and Ashok Singhal, who had given up promising careers to devote themselves entirely to the service of the nation. 'The Sangh may not engage in conventional activities,' he said, adding, 'but through spiritual discipline, it produces workers who will never abandon a cause that serves the nation. They will go wherever national interest demands and mobilise others to do the same.'
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Picture of ideal democracy': Mohan Bhagwat praises political unity post-Pahalgam, calls for self-reliance
Bhagwat further urged society to remain vigilant and emphasised that India must become self-reliant in security matters. 'New types of technologies should be researched,' he said. 'In this atmosphere of patriotism, forgetting their mutual rivalries, the competitors are helping each other—this is indeed a picture of ideal democracy. This should continue in the future as well,' the RSS chief said, while addressing the Karyakarta Vikas Varg-2, marking the conclusion of a volunteer training programme in Nagpur. New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Thursday appreciated the unity displayed by political parties in India in the wake of tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, and called on the government to be self-reliant in matters of national security. He also praised the Modi government's response to the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 tourists were shot dead by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir. 'In the brutal attack that took place in Pahalgam, our country's citizens were killed by terrorists. Naturally, we were sad and angry. Some action was taken in retaliation. In this entire episode, the capability and valour of our army was once again displayed,' said Bhagwat. Highlighting how the political class and public had shown mutual understanding after the incident, he added: 'By showcasing a long-awaited understanding and forgetting differences, the entire society created a great scene of unity. If this scene lasts forever, then it will be a great support for our country.' Without naming Pakistan, Bhagwat said the neighbouring country, unable to defeat India directly, had resorted to terrorism and proxy wars. 'We got separated so that we could live peacefully. However, they started creating discord soon after the separation took place. The hypocrisy born out of the ghost of the two-nation theory must be checked… as long as the ghost of the two-nation theory exists, the threat to our national security will continue,' he said. Urging all communities and classes to live in peace and harmony, the RSS chief said people should avoid internal conflict over petty matters. 'In any case, no section of society should fight with another section. We will have to maintain goodwill among ourselves. It is not right to become tyrants in an emotional state. Now, it is our (Indian) government, it is the government according to the Constitution of India. Therefore, we will have to give up using abusive language without any reason,' he added. Bhagwat also reiterated the RSS's position on religious conversion, stating that the organisation considers conversion to be a form of 'violence' and is working to ensure that people are not lured or forced to change their religion. Veteran politician from Chhattisgarh, Arvind Netam, who served under former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao, was the chief guest at the event. Accepting Netam's request to work in tribal areas to curb 'rampant conversions', Bhagwat stressed that the RSS views conversion as 'violence.' 'We don't have any differences with different religions and communities. Jesus, Mohammad, all are revered, and we also have respect for them. But everyone will follow their own religion. Those who changed their religion out of greed or by force and now want to come back, this too must be respected as it is a correction,' he said. In his speech, Netam urged the RSS chief to press the central government for an action plan to prevent the resurgence of Naxalism. Bhagwat concluded by noting that the nature of warfare has changed, and that battles are no longer fought face-to-face. 'With changing technology, by sitting in a room you can push a button and unleash an attack with a drone,' he said, emphasising that real strength lies with the people in society. (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Also Read: RSS affiliate calls for economic sanctions against Türkiye for military support to Pakistan
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Until The Two-Nation Theory Exists...': Mohan Bhagwat Explains Why India Must Stay 'Prepared'
Last Updated: Commenting on India's strategic position, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also noted how international alignments have come under scrutiny after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. The two-nation theory and the double standards by Pakistan might make peaceful coexistence difficult, and India needs to stay 'prepared' despite being a country that believes in 'non-violence', RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said, adding the Indian society has to remain 'united and alert' under all circumstances. Addressing the Karyakarta Vikash Varg in Nagpur on Thursday, Bhagwat also mentioned Pakistan's strategy of 'thousand cuts' and the ways of modern warfare, coupled with proxy war. 'Until the two-nation theory is completely discarded, peaceful coexistence will remain difficult and the unrest along with the double standards we face will continue," the RSS chief said, referring to the long-standing ideological framework that still fuels cross-border hostility and terrorism. Bhagwat also warned that modern conflict has moved far beyond the conventional fights on the battlefield with tanks. 'This has been a different conflict. They (Pakistan) wanted us to bleed through a thousand cuts – terror attacks, cyber warfare, proxy battles and so on. Now it takes just the press of a button to launch a drone. This is the new front. We must remember – the nature of warfare has changed," he added stating Bharat must be self-sustainable in defence. 'We have to be atmanirbhar (self dependent) when it comes to our security. Newer technology should be developed and research should be done," he said. Lauding Operation Sindoor, Bhagwat said, '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 the defence sector proved to be effective." 'Our political class, cutting across all political parties, showed a much-awaited reasonable and cooperative approach in the interest of the nation is also visible. The entire society has presented a big picture of unity and integrity. If such a 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 – this should be sustained is the wish all of us cherish," he added. During its Karyakarta Vikas Varg parade , the RSS cadres showcased a formation symbolising Rafale jets, referring to them as the aircraft that played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor. Bhagwat also urged Indian society not to let its guard down, stressing that emotional reactions could backfire. '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 on an emotional impulse. Now it is our government, governed as per the Constitution of India. Therefore, using abusive language without any reason – we will have to give up all these things," he stated. Commenting on India's strategic position, Bhagwat also noted how international alignments have come under scrutiny after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. 'These situations reveal who truly stands with us and who does not. That is why we must become fully self-reliant and self-sustainable in defence. We are a non-violent country. We see no one as our enemy – but we must remain completely alert," he added. First Published: June 06, 2025, 09:45 IST
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mohan Bhagwat warns against ‘two-nation theory thought', calls for unity
RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday called on Indians to remain united and self-reliant in the face of evolving threats, both external and internal. Speaking at the concluding function of Karyakarta Vikas Varg-2 of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Nagpur, Bhagwat touched upon issues ranging from modern warfare and terrorism to internal discord and religious conversions. 'The country will be under threat till the time the thought of the two-nation theory is there and till doublespeak doesn't go,' he said, referring to ideological divides that, in his view, continue to challenge India's social fabric. 'War has changed. Technology has changed. But truth reveals, who stands for the nation.' Bhagwat noted the increasing relevance of cyber warfare and proxy battles in today's world, stressing the need for India to build its own capacities. 'We don't consider anyone our enemy,' he said. 'But we must be prepared. Self-reliance is the only way forward.' Bhagwat emphasised that the true strength of the country lies not just in its army or administration, but in the spirit and resilience of its people. In the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, he acknowledged not just the nation's collective grief, but also the unity and swift response that followed. On domestic issues, he urged citizens not to fall prey to provocation or narratives of victimhood. 'Violence is not the way. No part of society should ever turn against another,' he said firmly. Congress MP and chief guest Arvind Netam said, 'The work that the Sangh has done for the service of the nation, its unity, and integrity is unmatched by anyone to date.' He said: 'The biggest problem is religious conversion, and in this matter, only the Sangh can help. Without the cooperation of the Sangh, society can achieve nothing.'
