NEW Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday addressed the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur, performing the traditional ‘Shastra Puja’ and paying tribute to the organisation’s founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Addressing the gathering, Bhagwat reflected on contemporary challenges facing India, from cross-border terrorism to climate and economic issues, while stressing the importance of self-reliance and societal unity.
Top quotes from Mohan Bhagwat’s address:
- “The world is looking towards India to look for solutions to global concerns. The universe wants India to lead by example and show the world a way.”
- “When the government stays away from the people and is largely unaware of their problems and policies are not made in their interests, people turn against the government. But using this way to express their unhappiness benefits no one… If we see the history of all the political revolutions so far, none of them has ever achieved their objective… All the revolutions in nations with governments have transformed frontal nations into capitalist nations… No aim is achieved in violent protests, but the powers sitting outside the country get a platform to play their games…”
- “Natural calamities have increased. Landslides and incessant rainfall have become normal… This pattern has been observed over the last 3-4 years. The Himalayas are our security wall and a source of water for the entire South Asia. If the existing patterns of development promote the calamities that we are seeing, then we will have to reconsider our decisions. The present situation of the Himalayas is ringing a warning bell.”
- “The new tariff policy implemented by the US was done keeping in mind the interest of their own. But everyone is affected by them… The world functions with dependence on each other; this is how relations between any two nations are maintained. No country can survive in isolation. This dependence must not turn into compulsion… We need to rely on swadeshi and focus on self-reliance… Yet strive to maintain diplomatic relations with all our friendly nations, which will be with our wish and without compulsion.”
- “Terrorists from across the border killed 26 Indians after asking their religion. The nation was mourning and angry about the terror attack. With complete preparations, our government and armed forces gave a befitting reply. The government’s dedication, the armed forces’ valour, and the unity in the society presented an ideal atmosphere in the country… The role played by various nations after this incident and our operation revealed our true friends. Within the country as well, there are unconstitutional elements who try to destabilise the country…”
- “The revolutions like those in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh only bring instability. The government must be people-oriented to avoid such chaos, but people expressing dissatisfaction in a way does not benefit anyone. BR Ambedkar calls such a movement ‘Grammar of Anarchy’.”
- “Maha Kumbh was organised in Prayagraj. It created a wave of devotion throughout India… Earlier this year, in the Pahalgam terror attack, 26 innocents were killed after asking about their religion. A wave of intense grief and anger swept across the country. The government and the Indian Army retaliated. Although we have a friendly nature towards everyone, we will have to be cautious and need to become capable of ensuring the safety of our country.”
- “Even though we maintain friendly relations with other countries, and we will continue to do so, when it comes to our security, we need to be more careful, more watchful and stronger. After the Pahalgam attack, the positions taken by various countries also revealed which of them are our friends, and to what extent.”
- “People who are annoyed by the system’s lethargy tend to seek support from such extremist elements. To prevent this, the state and society must work together through initiatives that give people faith in the system.”
Former President Ram Nath Kovind also addressed the gathering. Senior leaders, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, attended the celebrations.Before his address, Bhagwat also performed the ‘Shastra Puja’, paying tribute to both traditional and modern weapons, including replicas of Pinaka rockets and drones, at the Reshimbagh ground. Former President Ram Nath Kovind joined him in offering floral tributes to RSS founder Dr KB Hedgewar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the centenary celebrations a day earlier in New Delhi, praising the RSS for its role in nation-building and fostering civic responsibility.
