Decolonize mindset to realize “Rashtra Concept” : Dr. Mohan Bhagwat
He was addressing a fairly large gathering of swayamsevaks in uniform and the thousands of RSS sympathizers gathered at Reshambag ground here on the occasion of 93rd foundation day of the organization. The Chief Guest Baba Nirmaldas of Sri Guru Ravidas Sadhusant Society, Jalandhar, Punjab could not make to the program as he was suddenly taken ill and admitted to a hospital in Delhi on Friday. He however sent his message which was read out by Shreedhar Gadge.
RSS Sarkaryawah Suresh alias Bhayyaji Joshi, Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis, Power Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MPs Ajay Sancheti and Dr Vikas Mahatme, MLAs Sudhakar Deshmukh, Krishna Khopade, Anil Sole, Rashtra Sevika Samiti Pramukh Sanchalika Shantakka, her predecessor Pramilatai Medhe, Nagpur Mayor Nanda Jichkar were conspicuous by their presence at the program.
A group of Kanya Chhatravas from Jammu and delegation from Arunachal Pradesh under ‘Bharat Mera Ghar’ program was added attraction of the Vijayadashami function. Besides, among the specially invited personalities from different spheres of national life were parents of Arun Kumar, AVN Raju, Sudarshan Venu, Babasaheb Purandare, and Amal Krishna from Kerala.
In his exhaustive address spread over a time of over one hour Dr Bhagwat touched almost all the pertinent issues of national importance ranging from Bharat’s national vision towards global humanity as expounded by Swami Vivekananda and Buddhist scholar Kusahak Bakula Rimpoche to national security concerns to economy to education to finance and agriculture and to social security.
Praising the government for the various initiative it has taken to improve the lot of the society, the Sarsanghchalak called for awakening what he called ‘Sajjan Shakti’ of the society to strike a perfect coordination between the government, administration and the society to monitor whether the fruits of these welfare schemes are reaching to the last man standing in the last row.
Government’s job is to formulate policies, the administration is there to implement them and the awakened society can monitor whether these schemes are being implemented in the desired manner and stipulated time frame, he stressed.
Dr Bhagwt said that Bhagini Nivedita, disciple of Swami Vivekananda, whose 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated all over the country had underlined the need for perfect coordination between the society, family, civic life and nationality. “Our ancient Dharma had all these essential elements but we have allowed much of their consciousness to sleep. We have again to realize the meaning of our own treasure”, he stressed.
Giving a clarion call for decolonizing the mindset by awakening the society towards national ethos and endeavor, Dr Bhagwat appealed to the intellectuals and thinkers to get rid of the ill-effects of colonial thought and mindset which have engulfed our minds and made us self-abominating, confused and murky.
Differentiating between the western concept of nation-state and Bharatiya concept of Rashtra, he said that Rashtra is not made artificially. “Our existence as Rashtra is based on Sanskriti and people which is unique and entirely different from the nation-state concept rooted in power”.
Admitting that slowly but surely the country is partially experiencing this eternal truth in the present condition with the acceptance of Science of Yoga and our approach towards environment, Sarsanghchalak said that this gave a feeling of satisfaction and pride about our ancient heritage.
Patting the government for a strong approach in containing infiltration of terrorists and firing from across the Pakistan border, he showered praises on the government for effectively dealing the bullying tactics of China in Doklam. “Bharat’s strong and determined stand has been visible in the incidents like Doklam, on the borders as well as in international diplomacy. This definitely makes us realise about our strength and at the same time provides new international standing to Bharat”, he said.
Stating that there was a need to settle the refugees from Kashmir who are paying the price of being Bharatiya and being Hindu in their own motherland, Dr Bhagwat called for a durable peace in Jammu and Kashmir by ensuring equitable development in all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
Referring to situation in Border States other than J & K, he indicated to the happenings in Kerala and Bengal where violence is taking high toll of human life. He indicated to a dangerous game being played by anti-national forces by stimulating the unrest, separatism, violence, enmity or hatred amongst group or local identities on the basis of language, region, sects, religion etc.
“The State Governments and their systematically politicized administrative systems are not only apathetic to this serious national crisis but are also lending a helping hand to the anti-national forces for petty political interests”, he lamented.
Besides smuggling of cows along the Bangladesh border and influx of Bangladeshi Muslims in India, Dr Bhagwat pointed to more recent migration phenomenon of Rohingya Muslims in India in the recent time. The Rohingyas who are chased form Myanmar for their links with terrorist groups and involvement in violent activities have infiltrated into India.
“Any decision regarding them should be taken by keeping in mind that they will definitely be a threat to national security and integrity” Dr Bhagwat warned stating that the Government seems to be thinking on the same line.
Pointing that the GDP model of judging the economic progress was acknowledged as faulty by many economists, the Sarsanghchalak stressed for evolving and developing our own Bharateeya model of economy. “Altogether, our dream of presenting a model of Antyodaya at domestic level and that of balanced, sustainable and dynamic economy at the global level is not possible unless our economic thinking is not based on decentralizing economic production, restraining consumption, increasing employability, conserving energy, securing environment and taking the individual on righteous path” he said.
While moving ahead from the present economic condition this fundamental point should be remembered. There are many provisions at the Union and State levels for the benefit of deprived sections of the society like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Nomadic Tribes etc. Those benefits should reach to everyone from these sections. Government and administration should be alert and sensitive to this. There is a need for urgency with care on the part of government agency and sensitized cooperation from the society in this regard, he added.
The RSS Chief also called for encouraging cost effective farming practices essentially centered round cow and cow rearing and cow promotion. Referring to the recent incidents of cow vigilantism he stated in plain words that the pious mission of cow protection and cow promotion will go on within the limits of law and the constitution.
In our Sanskriti, he said, cow is an article of reverence. Cow protection is also included in Directive Principles of our Constitution and many states ruled by different political parties at different times have formulated laws regarding the same, he added stating that it was wrong to defame those engaged in cow protection as criminals before knowing the facts or reality. “It is unfair to link the cow protectors or entire activity of Cow protection with violent incidences or communal feelings without knowing or neglecting the facts”, he said.
On the contrary many activists who were peacefully involved in cow protection were attacked and killed; this issue is neither discussed nor being inquired. Many followers of Muslim faith are also involved in the activity of cow protection, cow promotion and management of gaushalas. Some of them told me that the nefarious campaign going on against the cow-protection unnecessarily creates tension among the people of different religions. In such a situation, cow-protectors and promoters who are piously involved in the activity should not worry or get distracted with the well intentioned statements by highly placed persons in the Government or remarks made by the Supreme Court.
Dr Bhagwat also called for revamping the education system to inculcate moral values and ethos among the students. But this is not only the job of the schools and teachers. The family, and society too have their responsibility to inculcate good moral values and sanskars among the children and rear them to be responsible citizens of the future, he said.
He said that the family and society should also impart the values of virtuous personal and social conduct to the new generation. The selfish politics thrives on differences, unrest and conflicts cropped up in the society due to evils of exploitation, inequalities and insensitivities. This is the direct result of absence of Samarasta.
Along with the Sangh Swayamsevaks, many organisations and individuals are already working relentlessly through their selfless connect and service and trying to create the atmosphere of justice, empathy and Samarasta.
However, to achieve the desired results, entire society will have to get rid of the contradictions of evil practices and conduct and imbibe the virtues of cognate and egalitarian behaviour. We all will have to commit ourselves and be active after refining all aspects of our life with this approach.
In the present condition, Dr Bhagwat said, the organised, qualitative and disciplined march of the society is as much necessary as the formulation of policies based on Bharatiya values by the Governments and an honest transparent and flawless execution of the same by the administration. The Eternal Bharat is reincarnating itself with the requirements of new age. All virtuous people with their efforts in various fields are ready to welcome it. Now social preparedness is the need of the hour.
Since 1925, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is striving for this, he said concluding his address. While entering the 93rd year of its inception, Sangh is trying build a nation-wide conglomeration of Karyakartas (activists) who have the clear understanding of our Rashtra, who are daring enough to articulate that with the same clarity, who are cherishing the devotion for this sacred and unified motherland and sensitive and affectionate towards each and every member of this family, the courage and sacrifice of our ancestors is the foundation of whose heart, and taking this nation to the pinnacle of its glory is the only inspiration of his collective aspirations and actions. This work is continuously growing.
He said that Sangh Swayamsevaks are active in each and every walk of national life and they are inculcating the Sanskaras through their presence. Swayamsevaks active in many allied organisations and institutions are running more than 1.70 lakh projects and serving the deprived sections by taking the society along.
He confidently hoped that the complete picture of organised and virtuous society through the environment created by these efforts will eliminate the flaws of divisions, egocentric attitude, idleness, self-abomination etc. This is the unique and unparalleled way of integrating and organising the society. The participation of all is necessary in this process. The right policies based on our ethos, excellent implementation and cooperation of all Sajjan Shakti and on the basis of that organised, industrious and integral social conduct is the fourfold combination that can lead to the manifestation of Bharat as an all-prosperous Vishwaguru in coming decades. This kind of conducive atmosphere is experienced everywhere, it is our duty to quickly seize this opportunity, he said.