No RSS worker trained for subversive activities: Bhagwat

NAGPUR: “There is a well-planned conspiracy to tarnish the image of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Even people like Imran Khan (Pakistan Prime Minister) are blaming the RSS for failure to achieve their ulterior motives.They also go to the extent of saying that we follow the ideology of Hitler,” said RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat while addressing the annual Vijayadashami rally here on Tuesday.
Taking an aggressive stance, Bhagwat said no RSS worker is “trained to carry out any subversive activity”. “A swayamsevak would in fact rush to diffuse any conflict situation,” he added in reference to Hindu right-wing forces being blamed increase in sectarian violence and lynching.
Starting off by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah saying the “country is in safe hands”, Bhagwat added that the “decision on removing special status for Jammu and Kashmir was long awaited by people of the country. It was a bold move and the entire democratic process was followed”.
The day marked the 94th anniversary of the RSS which was formed by former Congress worker Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur on Dussehra day of 1925.
“There is a trend to blow up sporadic instances of communal violence in the country. These incidents shouldn’t have happened. As part of a deliberate strategy, the RSS is being tagged with such incidents. Even if someone is embroiled in a case, we only suggest that he should go by the law to prove innocence,” said Bhagwat.
According to the RSS chief, the very diversity which the country takes pride in is being used to divide the people and create sectarian conflict. “Those wanting to fan hatred to damage RSS do not realize that they are hurting national interests too. There is a segment that is envious of India’s rapid rise on the international scene,” said Bhagwat.
He added: “The very term lynching used to define such incidents comes from a land from where a different religious text comes.”
To stress the point, he cited the Biblical story of Jesus Christ saving a woman from being stoned when he asked the people that only the person who has not sinned at all in his life should throw the stone first. “All such actions are not Indian culture,” said Bhagwat.
“Raising the cause of Hindus does not mean hatred towards Muslims. There may be some grudge in people’s mind. That is due to the invasions in the past. It’s like the hangover that remains after the din of the Holi festival but fades away soon. With time, the differences between the communities would also vanish. The Hindu region that we speak of is the religion of humanity as defined by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,” said the RSS chief.
Bhagwat also gave a clean chit to the government on the economic front refuting the slowdown theory. “It’s cyclical for the pace of economic activity to ease and it does not mean that there is a slowdown. I was told by an economic expert that when the growth rate reaches sub-zero level, it’s recession. We are still growing at 5%. The government is already sensitive about the situation and has taken corrective steps,” he said.
Bhagwat said in 2014 it was assumed that BJP had won because of a strong anti-incumbency sentiment. “But the party got elected with a bigger mandate in 2019.
The new government has brought many changes. The borders are safe, terror strikes have come down,” said the sarsanghchalak.
Stressing on the need to further consolidate the eastern front and coastline, Bhagwat said, “We need to have a stronger naval presence especially in areas that are dotted with islands,” he said, probably hinting at competition with China.
He also expressed concern about safety of women saying, “It's a matter of shame that girls are not safe even at home.”
Bhagwat referred to the latest survey by Drishti Adhyayan Kendra — an RSS affiliated NGO on women’s status — saying the findings will be used in policymaking.
Hailing Chandrayaan project, Bhagwat said the entire world’s eyes were on India as “we tried to make a landing on the moon’s South Pole”.
The RSS chief said the term Swadeshi advocated by RSS does not mean “shutting out from rest of the world”. “Rather, it’s having self-assurance and dealing in international trade in equal terms,” he said. Bhagwat also supported privatization saying that moves have to be taken “considering the situation”.
HCL founder chairman Shiv Nadar, who was the chief guest, spoke about the need to improve the standard of education especially in populous states like Uttar Pradesh. Former army chief and now minister of state for road transport Gen VK Singh was also seen in full RSS uniform along with others like Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari and others.