'Unity essential for nation's interest': RSS on BJP's 'batenge toh katenge' remark

NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is ruling BJP's ideological fountainhead, strongly backed the saffron party's "batenge toh katenge" remark raised in the backdrop of Hindu minorities being subjected to violence in neighbouring Bangladesh that was sliced from India in 1947 partition.

Emphasising the need for unity and calling it an element essential in the nation's interest, Dattatreya Hosabale, general secretary of the RSS on Saturday said that Hindu unity "is essential in society and necessary for public welfare".

"Unity is essential for any community. Today many religious and party people are understanding it from their experience and are also welcoming it...Hindus should remain united. Hindu unity is essential in society and necessary for public welfare. There are efforts to divide Hindus based on caste and ideology, and we must stay alert to this," Hosabale said at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, according to the news agency ANI.

The RSS general secretary also urged the Hindus in Bangladesh not to migrate as the nation has made "significant contributions to our history as a Hindu nation".

"The Hindu community should remain there and not migrate. Their land was divided from India in 1947, and in 1971, they became a separate country through Pakistan, in which India also played a role. There is a Shaktipeeth also and that region has made significant contributions to our history as a Hindu nation. We want Hindus to remain there, but their protection must be ensured...," Hosabale said.

During his annual Vijaya Dashami speech this year, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that "being unorganised and weak is like inviting atrocities by the wicked".

Hindus should take lessons from the events in Bangladesh, he said as his organisation entered its 100th year.

On society, and the country in general, he said there is a famous saying that even God does not care about the weak.

"It is the job of the administration to prevent such indigents from happening, and to control and punish the culprits immediately. But until they arrive, society has to protect itself and its property along with the lives of loved ones," he said.

The "batenge toh Katenge" (if we are divided, we will be destroyed) remark was first given by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in August when he made a pitch for national unity as he cited the turmoil in Bangladesh to warn against the consequences of divisions in society. The UP CM warned at a public gathering in Agra.

"Nothing can be above the nation. And the nation will be empowered only when we are united," Adityanath said and added: "Aap dekh rahe hain Bangladesh mein kya ho raha hai? Wo galatiyan yahan nahi honi chahiye. Batenge toh katenge! Ek rahenge to nek rahenge, surakshit rahenge aur samriddhi ki parakashtha ko pahuchenge (You are seeing what is happening in Bangladesh. Those mistakes should not be repeated here. If we are divided we will be destroyed. If we are united, we will be secure and we will prosper)."

Speaking on the ongoing Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute, Hosabale said "We hope that the court will resolve this quickly".

"Mathura's matter is now in the court and we hope that the court will resolve this quickly. Just as the Ayodhya matter was settled, it is not necessary to approach every matter in the same way...We should have faith in the judiciary, the issue is still ongoing, and people are raising their voices...," he said.


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