Linking RSS with BJP is a mistake: Mohan Bhagwat
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Kolkata: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday sought to clear misconceptions about the organisation, asserting that it has no enemies and works solely for the betterment of Hindu society.
Addressing a gathering at the Science City auditorium in Kolkata to mark the centenary celebrations of the RSS, Bhagwat called for greater Hindu unity and emphasised that it would be a mistake to conflate the BJP and the RSS, stating that the Sangh’s only goal is the unity and solidarity of the Hindu community.
“The Sangh is often misinterpreted. Many know the name but do not understand the work of the Sangh. The RSS only thinks about the betterment of Hindu society. It does not operate with any kind of animosity. While the growth of the Sangh may hurt the interests of many, the Sangh itself has no enemies,” he said.
Bhagwat claimed that politics is unnecessarily conflated with the Sangh. “It is true that many BJP leaders are in the RSS. But it is wrong to conflate the RSS and the BJP. The RSS does not operate with a mindset of conflict. It only thinks about the betterment of Hindu society,” he added.
He warned that shops of narrow interest may shut down if the organisation grows. “To bring the reality in front of people, lecture and interaction sessions have been organised in four cities of the country. RSS does not have any political agenda. The Sangh works for the betterment and protection of the Hindu society,” Bhagwat said.
The RSS chief also said that the country will again become ‘Vishwaguru’ and it is the duty of the Sangh to prepare society for that purpose. He stressed the need to return to forgotten roots and highlighted Bengali icons such as Swami Vivekananda, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Bhagwat particularly praised Raja Ram Mohan Roy, echoing sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. “Ram Mohan Roy fought tirelessly for social reform throughout his life. The work of social reform began during his time. The RSS wants to carry forward that very legacy,” he said.
With IANS inputs