NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the media on Thursday at the event that marked the centenary of the organisation.
On the first day of the lecture series, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat shared his vision for the future of India and the role of 'swayamsevaks' (RSS volunteers) in shaping it. The speech was translated live in English, French and Spanish for the foreign delegates.
On the second day, Bhagwat pitched for Swadeshi, saying its true spirit lay in the nation engaging internationally by choice, not under pressure. The RSS chief said the fanaticism has increased in the current world order as people tend to cancel those who speak against their views.
Bhagwat, on the third day, took questions on a wide range of topics concerning society.
BJP-RSS equation
Speaking on the RSS's coordination with the ruling BJP, the RSS chief said there may be a struggle, but there's no quarrel.
"No quarrel anywhere, but being on the same page on all issues is not possible; we always trust each other. I am an expert in running 'shakhas', the BJP is an expert in running the government; we can only give suggestions to each other," he said.
He said even if a man in the chair "is 100 per cent for us, he knows what the hurdles are" and that "we have to give him that independence".
"We are having good coordination with every government, both state governments and the central government. But there are systems which have some internal contradictions. The system in general is the same, which was invented by the British so that they can rule. So, we have to have some innovations," Bhagwat said.
He further added, "Then, we want something to happen. Even if the man in the chair is 100% for us, he has to do it, and knows what the hurdles are. He may or may not be able to do it. We have to give him that independence. There is no quarrel anywhere."
On the 75-year retirement limit age
Mohan Bhagwat said that he never advocated for retirement at the age of 75, nor did he ever say someone should retire, putting an end to the buzz that his reference was meant for PM Modi, as the BJP has a practice of encouraging leaders to step down after the age of 75.
"I never said I will retire or someone should retire. In Sangh, we are given a job, whether we want it or not. If I am 80 years old, and Sangh says go and run a 'shakha', I will have to do it. We do whatever the Sangh tells us to do...This is not for anyone's retirement. We are ready to retire or work - as long as the Sangh wants us to," he said on the question of 'should Indian leaders retire at the age of 75 years'.
On reservation
Mohan Bhagwat said the RSS supports reservation "as provided in the Constitution".
"Caste-based reservation must be approached with sensitivity. Deendayal Ji had a vision -- those at the bottom should strive to rise, and those at the top should extend a hand to pull them up. The Sangh supports reservation as provided in the Constitution," he said.
He also referred to the All Hindu Dharmacharyas, who declared in the Udupi Sammelan in 1969 that untouchability does not have acceptability in Hindu Dharma.
On demography & population
Mohan Bhagwat said it is generally suggested for a family in India to have three children. However, he said that resources should be managed accordingly.
"To keep a civilisation alive, 2.1 is mentioned; it basically means three children. But, resources also have to be managed, so we must restrict to 3," Bhagwat said, adding that having three silbings "helps a child in an ego management".
The RSS chief said infiltration should be stopped as every country has their own rules and regulations with limited resources.
He said conversion and illegal migration are key reasons for demographic imbalance.
"Religion is an individual's own choice. No one should be forcefully converted. We have to stop it. The second issue is infiltration. Every country has their own rules and regulations, limited resources. So, infiltration should be stopped, and the government is making efforts to stop this... It is important to give employment to the citizens of our country," he said.
He further said: “Every nation has its rules and regulations. The world is ‘Kutumb’, but every place has its own standards. Freedom is discipline also…Not allowing illegal immigrants in the country doesn't contradict the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.”
On learning English
Asked how the Sangh views the challenge of preserving values and traditions in an era of technology and modernisation, Bhagwat said: "Technology and modernity are not opposed to education. Education is not just about information; it is about shaping a cultured individual. The new education policy provides for Panchkoshiya education (five-fold holistic learning)."
Bhagwat said education is not just about cramming information.
"It is to make a person cultured with values. Education should impart our values based on our tradition and culture," he said.
Should Sanskrit be made compulsory?
Responding to a question on whether Sanskrit should be made compulsory, Bhagwat said: "To understand self & our knowledge, tradition, basic knowledge of Sanskrit is necessary. It needn't be made compulsory. But, to understand Bharat in the true sense, it is essential to study Sanskrit. That urge is to be created."
"No point in having any dispute over languages, all should together decide on a common transactional language. Everyone should be fluent in a mother tongue, language of state and common transactional language; no bar in learning more," the RSS chief said.
In a massive public outreach, the RSS has planned to organise several events, including more than one lakh 'Hindu sammelans', across the country to mark its centenary year, starting with Bhagwat's address at the organisation's headquarters in Nagpur on Vijaya Dashami, which falls on October 2 this year.
On the first day of the lecture series, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat shared his vision for the future of India and the role of 'swayamsevaks' (RSS volunteers) in shaping it. The speech was translated live in English, French and Spanish for the foreign delegates.
On the second day, Bhagwat pitched for Swadeshi, saying its true spirit lay in the nation engaging internationally by choice, not under pressure. The RSS chief said the fanaticism has increased in the current world order as people tend to cancel those who speak against their views.
Bhagwat, on the third day, took questions on a wide range of topics concerning society.
BJP-RSS equation
Speaking on the RSS's coordination with the ruling BJP, the RSS chief said there may be a struggle, but there's no quarrel.
"No quarrel anywhere, but being on the same page on all issues is not possible; we always trust each other. I am an expert in running 'shakhas', the BJP is an expert in running the government; we can only give suggestions to each other," he said.
He said even if a man in the chair "is 100 per cent for us, he knows what the hurdles are" and that "we have to give him that independence".
"We are having good coordination with every government, both state governments and the central government. But there are systems which have some internal contradictions. The system in general is the same, which was invented by the British so that they can rule. So, we have to have some innovations," Bhagwat said.
He further added, "Then, we want something to happen. Even if the man in the chair is 100% for us, he has to do it, and knows what the hurdles are. He may or may not be able to do it. We have to give him that independence. There is no quarrel anywhere."
On the 75-year retirement limit age
Mohan Bhagwat said that he never advocated for retirement at the age of 75, nor did he ever say someone should retire, putting an end to the buzz that his reference was meant for PM Modi, as the BJP has a practice of encouraging leaders to step down after the age of 75.
"I never said I will retire or someone should retire. In Sangh, we are given a job, whether we want it or not. If I am 80 years old, and Sangh says go and run a 'shakha', I will have to do it. We do whatever the Sangh tells us to do...This is not for anyone's retirement. We are ready to retire or work - as long as the Sangh wants us to," he said on the question of 'should Indian leaders retire at the age of 75 years'.
On reservation
Mohan Bhagwat said the RSS supports reservation "as provided in the Constitution".
"Caste-based reservation must be approached with sensitivity. Deendayal Ji had a vision -- those at the bottom should strive to rise, and those at the top should extend a hand to pull them up. The Sangh supports reservation as provided in the Constitution," he said.
He also referred to the All Hindu Dharmacharyas, who declared in the Udupi Sammelan in 1969 that untouchability does not have acceptability in Hindu Dharma.
On demography & population
Mohan Bhagwat said it is generally suggested for a family in India to have three children. However, he said that resources should be managed accordingly.
"To keep a civilisation alive, 2.1 is mentioned; it basically means three children. But, resources also have to be managed, so we must restrict to 3," Bhagwat said, adding that having three silbings "helps a child in an ego management".
The RSS chief said infiltration should be stopped as every country has their own rules and regulations with limited resources.
He said conversion and illegal migration are key reasons for demographic imbalance.
"Religion is an individual's own choice. No one should be forcefully converted. We have to stop it. The second issue is infiltration. Every country has their own rules and regulations, limited resources. So, infiltration should be stopped, and the government is making efforts to stop this... It is important to give employment to the citizens of our country," he said.
He further said: “Every nation has its rules and regulations. The world is ‘Kutumb’, but every place has its own standards. Freedom is discipline also…Not allowing illegal immigrants in the country doesn't contradict the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.”
On learning English
Asked how the Sangh views the challenge of preserving values and traditions in an era of technology and modernisation, Bhagwat said: "Technology and modernity are not opposed to education. Education is not just about information; it is about shaping a cultured individual. The new education policy provides for Panchkoshiya education (five-fold holistic learning)."
Bhagwat said education is not just about cramming information.
"It is to make a person cultured with values. Education should impart our values based on our tradition and culture," he said.
Should Sanskrit be made compulsory?
Responding to a question on whether Sanskrit should be made compulsory, Bhagwat said: "To understand self & our knowledge, tradition, basic knowledge of Sanskrit is necessary. It needn't be made compulsory. But, to understand Bharat in the true sense, it is essential to study Sanskrit. That urge is to be created."
"No point in having any dispute over languages, all should together decide on a common transactional language. Everyone should be fluent in a mother tongue, language of state and common transactional language; no bar in learning more," the RSS chief said.
In a massive public outreach, the RSS has planned to organise several events, including more than one lakh 'Hindu sammelans', across the country to mark its centenary year, starting with Bhagwat's address at the organisation's headquarters in Nagpur on Vijaya Dashami, which falls on October 2 this year.
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