After completing the journey of hundred years, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated its centenary year Vijayadashami festival in Nagpur. On this occasion, Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat performed weapon worship and addressed the program. His speech included many issues ranging from violence in France to indigenous people, drug problem and the new generation. There is an old tradition in the Sangh of worshiping weapons on Dussehra, which was followed this time also. Before the puja, Bhagwat offered floral tributes to the statue of Sangh’s founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Smriti Mandir. RSS was established in Nagpur in the year 1925 on the day of Dussehra. Every year on this occasion the Sangh also organizes street march programs across the country. This tradition has been going on since the establishment of the Sangh and is considered a symbol of the strength and cultural heritage of the Sangh.
Mention of Raj Narayan Basu and Saint Ravidas
Mohan Bhagwat remembered Bengal’s Raj Narayan Basu, whose birth anniversary is completing 200 years. He said that Basu had started the Hindu fair to make people aware of their culture and identity through indigenous fairs. The Sangh chief also discussed the contribution of Saint Ravidas. According to him, when the country was facing foreign invasions and people were being tortured, there was an atmosphere of fear all around. At such a time, Saint Ravidas gave the message of loyalty, social harmony and devotion towards one’s religion. By the example of his life he consoled the society and boosted the morale of the people. Mohan Bhagwat said that RSS has been working for the last 100 years to organize and strengthen India on the basis of its own identity, culture and traditions. In the centenary year, emphasis is being laid on five major changes, which include realization of one’s identity and adoption of indigenous things.
“The situation does not change with regime change.”
Referring to the ongoing protests in France, Mohan Bhagwat said that a storm has come from the west, which opposes every kind of decency, order and culture and wants to destroy it. He gave the examples of France, Albania, Nepal and Bangladesh. According to him, such people say that the situation will change with regime change, but this has never happened before and will not happen even today.
He also commented on the movements. Bhagwat said that it is everyone’s responsibility to run the society and the country. If the motivation behind the movement is one of belonging, then it is fine, but if it is driven by other goals, then it becomes a means of politics. According to him, if the movement increases opposition towards any person, group or idea, then the forces trying to suppress India will take advantage of it.
Unity in Diversity and the New Generation
The Sangh chief said that India is a country of diversity, where there are different sects, regions, castes, languages, food and customs. But the place of Mother India is supreme and the country has to move forward unitedly. He said that diversity in creation is natural and equally true is the unity of existence, which is immovable and eternal. Bhagwat expressed concern over the drug problem. He said that today’s generation is becoming addicted to drugs and parents should teach their children about it.
He also stressed on developing the ability of the new generation to understand the difference between right and wrong. According to him, the new generation is eager to learn and new things attract them, but it is important for them to understand the difference between right and wrong. Bhagwat also mentioned talking to the government regarding rules and discipline on OTT platforms and other mediums. He said that lack of understanding leads to many ill effects in personal, family and social life.