Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said lynching is a “western construct” and should not be used in the Indian context to defame the country.
Addressing the Vijayadashmi function of the RSS at Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra’s Nagpur city, he said the word ‘lynching’ does not originate from Indian ethos but comes from a separate religious text, and such terms should not be imposed on Indians.
He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the government’s move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, but said some vested interests do not want the country to be strong and vibrant.
Voicing his displeasure over several incidents of mob violence in the country, he said, “Lynching is not the word from Indian ethos, its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. We Indians trust in brotherhood. Don’t impose such terms on Indians.”
“Lynching itself is a western construct and one shouldn’t use it in the Indian context to defame the country,” he said.
Bhagwat urged citizens to create harmony, and that everyone should live within confines of law. “Swayamsevaks are brought up with that sanskar,” he said.
My appeal to you all is to become a "sahayogi" in this mission. Do take into account the requirements of the current period, and participate in this noble and sacred mission. - Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat #RSSVijayaDashami pic.twitter.com/3UQBb741eW
— RSS (@RSSorg) October 8, 2019
He said in the past few years, there has been transformation in “direction of thought process of Bharat”.
“There are many people in the world and in Bharat as well, who don’t want this. A developed Bharat creates fear in the minds of vested interests...such forces will also not want Bharat to be strong and vibrant,” the RSS chief said. Even well-meaning policies, statements from persons in government and administration were being misused to benefit nefarious designs by vested interests, he rued.
Summary of poojneey Sarsanghchalak’s Speech :https://t.co/N6tAn8ihoD#RSSVijayaDashami pic.twitter.com/RoNtkLBTKi
— RSS (@RSSorg) October 8, 2019
“We must be alert in identifying these plots and counter them on intellectual and social levels,” he said.
Bhagwat said the world was eager to know if the 2019 elections in such a huge country will be conducted smoothly.
“Democracy in India is not something imported from any country, but a practice which has been prevalent here since centuries,” Bhagwat said.
He said India’s borders were now safer than ever, and more focus was needed on coastal security.
“The number of guards and check-posts on land borders and surveillance along the maritime border, especially on islands, have to be increased,” he said.
On concerns over the economic sector, he said the slowing down of world economy has left its impact everywhere.
“The government has taken initiatives to tide over the situation in the last one-and-a-half months. Our society is entrepreneurial and will overcome these challenges,” he added.
In the morning, Bhagwat performed ‘shastra puja’ at the Sangh’s annual Vijayadashmi event here.
HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year’s event.
Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Gen V K Singh (retd) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the event.
‘No recession’
Bhagwat said “too much discussion” about the “so-called economic slowdown” was unwarranted because it made businesses and people wary and lead to a decline in economic activity.
The central government was taking measures to improve the situation, and we must have faith in it, Bhagwat said, addressing a gathering of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the occasion of Vijayadashmi.
“The country is growing. But the world economy goes through a cycle, and at times it faces some hurdles that slow down the growth. Then it is called a slowdown,” Bhagwat said. “An economist told me that you call it recession only when you report growth rate of below zero. But we are having a growth rate of around 5 per cent. One can show concern towards it, but there is no need to discuss it.”
“Discussion over it leads to creation of an atmosphere, which affects (people’s) conduct. Too much discussion about so-called slowdown would make the people in business and trade believe that economy is really slowing down and they would become more conservative in their actions. It will eventually slow the growth of our economy further,” he said.
“The government has shown sensitivity towards the issue and has taken some steps,” he said.
The government also faced some (external) factors such as the trade war between the United States and China, the Sangh supremo said.
“We need to trust our government. We have taken so many steps, there will be some positive impact in coming days,” he said.