Temples, cremation grounds should be open for all Hindus: Bhagwat

Raipur: RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said Wednesday that temples, water bodies and cremation grounds should be open to all Hindus, saying such inclusiveness was an effort towards unity rather than conflict."Do not judge people by caste, wealth, language or region. Treat everyone as your own. Always consider the entire country as your own," Bhagwat said, describing this outlook for "samajik samrasta" (social harmony).Bhagwat addressed gatherings in Raipur and surrounding areas, including an address to students of AIIMS-Raipur, on Wednesday.Linking religious conversions to breakdown of social trust, Bhagwat urged respectful reintegration, supported community-led temple management and defined Hindutva as unity amid diversity.Addressing a Hindu Sammelan at Sonpairi village in Chhattisgarh's Raipur district, Bhagwat said true social harmony begins by removing feelings of separation and discrimination from one's mind and by treating every individual as one's own."The country belongs to everyone. This spirit alone defines social harmony," he said.Expressing concern over rising loneliness, substance abuse and digital isolation among youth, he called for stronger family bonds and logical, value-based engagement on social media.Emphasising on the need to revive family bonding, Bhagwat urged families to spend at least one day every week together, engage in prayers according to their faith, eat home-cooked food collectively and hold meaningful discussions, which he termed "mangal samvad". He said loneliness often pushes people towards bad habits and addiction, and regular interaction within families can help prevent this.He urged youth to counter loneliness and addiction through dialogue, values and collective engagement.On "kutumb prabodhan" (awakening of the family), he said individuals must introspect on how much time and resources they devote daily to society and the nation, adding that if country is in danger, families too cannot remain secure.He also advocated the use of one's mother tongue at home, respect for Indian attire and promotion of swadeshi and self-reliance by purchasing locally made products, except in unavoidable cases such as medicines.Calling for strict adherence to Constitution and civic discipline, Bhagwat said the Preamble, fundamental duties and citizens' responsibilities should be read and followed regularly.Referring to the RSS journey over a century, he said the organisation, which began with a small shakha in Nagpur, has today spread across the country.At AIIMS-Raipur, Bhagwat advocated a balanced path that harmonises development with environmental conservation. "We must find a middle path where forests are preserved and development also continues. At present, only India is working seriously in this direction," Bhagwat said.On Thursday, Bhagwat would attend a ‘samajik sadbhavna' (social harmony) meeting at the Ram Mandir premises here, with participation from heads of various communities, social organisations and intellectuals. The initiative is seen as part of the RSS's outreach efforts in Chhattisgarh during its centenary year.